The Russians do NOT want Georgia and Ukraine to join NATO. They are (were) very close to doing so. This would make it much more difficult to invade them, and take control of their resources. Two of the worlds largest oil pipelines are controlled by Georgia and Ukraine... If Russia is successful with "installing" a Pro-Russian government, they will then control all of the resources and pipelines. Not to mention a large shipping corridor on the Black Sea, which is also controlled by Georgia. ....... It's all about the oil and control of how that oil is moved. "Black Gold" isn't black.... it's all GREEN. And Ukraine is next.