WhatInThe, Russia didn't seize Crimea. Crimea voted democratically to return to Russia and there were outside observers there who saw no pressure from Russia. And since then, there have been a couple of delegations from other European countries who talked to the locals and found that they were very pleased with their decision. Keep in mind that right after it happened, Ukraine cut off power to Crimea, I think maybe also access via their roads and Russia went in and replaced aging infrastructure and completed a bridge to reopen access. Also there was an increase in pensions for seniors and a few other improvements. So the spin that Russia 'seized' the area is inaccurate as they 'accepted' Crimea's request to return.
It should also be noted that when the Donetsk and Luhansk region floated the idea of their return to Russia also, it was refused by Russia. So if Russia were as intent on reigniting the old Soviet custom of taking over regions as 'NATO' would have you believe, it would seem to me, that they had an opportunity to begin the process right there....but it didn't happen.
