much about Syria for example when there are plenty of civilian deaths. Or Crimea and eastern Ukraine for that matter.

Don't know enough about Russians sentiment on Ukraine. But would taking over of Ukraine creates enough nationalist sentiment within Russia that they don't care about the financial hardship it might bring? Relating that to China, I think most Chinese people are willing to endure a lot to take Taiwan back, which they see as rightfully theirs. So if Russia makes a move, China will probably be watching the world's reaction closely. But will sanction be enough a deterrent? Could this push China-Russia into an alliance with each of them take over the territories they are eyeing for and say fuck the West and just provide economic support for each other?