A playground bully picking on a weaker child is in and of itself a show of paranoia and weakness. There is something behind the curtain yet to be seen but there was no need for this to happen.
The only thing I can think of is Putin is in trouble in his own country and believes this in someway will unify Russia - If so he will find it will only be a short lived diversion.
What looks like OMG Russian aggression may actually turn out to be a desperate move by a short-lived dictator.
Putin should definitely be sleeping with one eye open. A military coup in a communist totalitarian dictatorial nation is not without precedent. Especially when 70% of your revenue is derived from one source - petroleum. And those that reap its rewards now have a target on their back.
AND
If sanctions do come, the axe should be ready at the root of the German nation should they go ahead with the Russian pipeline. Only a fool feeds the beast that threatens them OR it reveals their true alliances. Pick a team.