Unwillingless to use nuclear weapons undermines MAD doctrine and makes nuclear war more likely. The behaviour of Western countries might have made Putin believe

Unwillingless to use nuclear weapons undermines MAD doctrine and makes nuclear war more likely. The behaviour of Western countries might have made Putin believe that they won't respond with nuclear weapons in all scenarios. The credibility of nuclear response is the cornerstone of global balance, but if your reaction to everything is "I don't want to die", then you erode that credibility.