And just how should he have handled Russia undermining his authority? What if Russia had done the same in the US and handed out passports to everyone that wanted them. Then if we had an issue with those people wanting to seceed from the US and we did not want that, would Russia attack us then? Seems the logic there is a little messed up. Isn't that the same type of colonizing that the Nazis and Japan used before WWII to push their territory further?
Besides, all politicians are arrogant. Just look at Putin and Obamassiah.
Also, another point. What if Russia had gone to the UN first instead of attacking a soveriegn nation? Would things be different? Or, were they just interested in returning the USSR to its former state?