Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda
Russia and the West sparring over the Ukraine had only one strategic issue for Russia: Sevastopol naval base.

By taking Crimea, they guarantee not only that they have access to it, but NATO doesn't.

And if NATO could have cut off the Strait, Rostov would have been taken out of the game, too.

It's why Russia have opened a new base at Novorossiysk.

I expect all of this is news to you, otherwise you wouldn't talk out of your arse.
All of this is obvious. But you forgot that Putin just wants to rebuild the lost Empire. He threatens all his neighbours, including the Baltic states. But the Baltic states are in NATO so riskier to attack.

Again, it is the threat by Russia that brings NATO into play, not the other way around.