Many of the statements of fact that he makes are fabrications. This is an empirical declaration similar to the 'seven dashed lines' where he makes claim to vast territories on dubious claims. For instance, to lay claim to Crimea based on a rejection of the 1954 treaty is to ignore the fact that Crimea is highly strategic and has been in contention since the dark ages. 1997, 1991, 1954, 1919, 1783, 1654 etc. Crimea was the start of Putin's imperial expansion because of a big ass Soviet naval base and naval dominance of the black sea. It had nothing to do with 'uniting the ethnic Russian people', that is just a puffed up excuse for what he is planning.