Maybe an unintended consequence but what is clear is that while Putin can attract people of Russian origin to 'his side' by demanding incorporation into mother Russia he is alienating Ukrainians (and probably all other non-Russians bordering on Russia) for all time.

It seems that Putin is blinded by the history of the Russian Empire from seeing that the only way he will be able to rebuild the Russian Empire is through conquest and subjugation.

How does he think he will get away with this?

A weak US and having had Germany roll over (accepting energy dependency) has obviously emboldened him...