I beleive that we have seen the only sign that Russia intends to give: The proverbial finger to Europe and the west, with the full implication that Russia will go where it wants and do what it wants when it wants to, and the consequences me damned.

What does Russia need from Europe or the west? Nothing. It has vast resources of energy and minerals. It doesn’t actually NEED trade with the west.

Europe, however, NEEDS Russian oil and natural gas. America (as in NASA) Needs Russian space technology to complete and operate the ISS, and as an emergency support for a Shuttle crew that might get stranded.

Georgia is simply a test bed, an operational exercise for future Soviet, er, I mean, Russian, expansion(s).

Meet the new Cold War. Same as the old Cold War.