Ukraine

Live CNN update -- he issued the order to move in.

https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-21-22/index.html
Imagine that Wisconsin and Minnesota had a reasonably-sized but minority population of ethnic Candians. Canada had been supplying separatists who wanted to secede and join Canada. Suddenly Canada puts 200,000 troops on the border and recognizes Wisconsin and Minnesota as independent countries.

See above.

If we don't respond, he's going to continue to expand their reach in to additional democracies in an attempt to destabilize the West, making it harder to stop his mob-nation from bleeding dry the citizens of Russia and any occupied territories.

You might remember perhaps Europe in 1939 and 1940.
I see. I didn't quite understand why his declaration (that he sees them as independent) means anything. Just because he sees them this way, does it mean they ARE? And how does it factor into his invasion? Does it mean he will leave them alone? I should've been paying more attention.