Putin needs to ask one question
What would Uncle Joe do?
1. Pull out all Russian troops.
2. Temporarily withdraw from the Moscow treaty of 1963
3. "Test" a 10 Mt nuclear device (or maybe two) over the 5,800 square mile Chechen republic.
4. Call for elections on Chechnyan independence.
5. Have results voided do to a lack of participation by the populace.
6. Move forces back in. (in several decades)
*I normally wouldn't support such action, but since the region is mainly inhabited by Muslim extremists, I could care less. Let them go to their virgin pimping god.