Putin has been slowly taking lands of strategic importance for over a decade. Taking Ukraine would give Russia total control of the Black sea and a significant geographic advatage in the region. NATO was formed specifically to prevent Russia from expanding and it is very much in US's interest that Russia doesnt decide to take over Europe.

Funny hearing your concern about money laundering as Putin and his cronies famously steal from state budgets and launder that money through various shell companies and even US real estate.

https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-trump-property/