If it is then it’s a strategic blunder that exceeds the taking of Crimea and creation of the breakaways.
Before Putin’s 1st war Ukraine was oscillating between the EU and Russia, if he played his cards right he probably could have turned Ukraine into Belarus. Instead he took the two most friendly regions by force and completely alienated the rest of the country so he had no choice but invasion to regain influence.
If he takes Crimea and Donbass without the neutrality + demilitarization then Ukraine is no longer part of an active conflict or territorial dispute and they can join the EU + NATO.
