After Crimea, which is in Russian hands already, the focus has shifted to Eastern Ukraine. Its largest cities are in turmoil. Kharkiv or Kharkov and Donetsk attract most attention at this point because of ever-louder demands for new referenda. The crowds want to be reunited with Russia, and they are calling for Putin’s help. With the Russian army amassed on the border with Ukraine after recent drills, all options are open. And everyone is thus wondering about Putin’s next move. He can do whatever he pleases, or so it seems. But what is often lost in the tumult is the fact that the Russian president is now cornered by his own unmitigated success in Crimea. Now that his popularity has soared across Russia, which is in the grips of imperial fervor once again, he is no longer free to do as he pleases. Far from it. In fact, he will be forced to “protect” the Russian-speaking population of Eastern Ukraine. The only question is where Eastern Ukraine ends and Ukraine proper begins. Even here, Putin is cornered by the Russian-speaking population of the neighboring country. Hoisted by his own petard, he will ultimately have to do as the angry mob pleases.