Russia gearing up for next stage in the game? Propably.

Holding an international politics mastership usually gives one uniquely depressing view on the happening of the world.

A question: when a supposedly great nation, despite their past actions  is shoehorned into a corner by economic sanctions, into a damnably tight corner where there is no escape, shall they wither and give up? Shall their leadership just fold?

Rarely.

If there is no other way out of a trap, they need to trump their opposition, internal and external.

That, folks, is when they go to war. 

Look it up. History books beacon. Nothing has changed. 

Hopefully the west and Russia will find some common enemy to fight, or we won't have to worry about lack of jobs soon.

Nothing is as silly as to think we won't ever again fight major wars in the west.