China still has territorial designs on a large swathe of Eastern Russia. I don't imagine Russia is any more thrilled about China than the West is - and they are bordering them after all.

The Ukraine is a soverign nation. Should it have to cede parts of itself to ensure that Russia is happy? Apart from occupation and genocide they don't share that much mutual history. I don't imagine that the Ukraine wants to have only relations with Russia. Since any treaty is going to annoy Russia, the sooner Russia gets used to the idea the better; they still have enough ICBMs to destroy the world several times over.

I agree that stationing ships in Odessa isn't a great idea, but nor do I see any tactical advantage to doing so. Bulgaria is less contentious if one really needs a fleet that close.

I was unaware that Russia had a great military. I know that they are having an overhaul, but most equipment in't that great, and moral is improving, but poor.