3 ms·

>His only play is to act (?) even crazier. He could probably just withdraw, no? Russia isn't under existential threat. Is taking Ukraine really the only opti

• sidibe 5y ago
  For his pride and image it is, which seems to be the most important thing. Taking Ukraine also appears to be impossible at this point though. The only major city he has taken has massive protests. Subduing 40 million hostile people in a country with that much territory would require huge number of soldiers and a lot more money than Russia can afford
• eli_gottlieb 5y ago
  Putin's clearly expressed belief is that lacking an imperial sphere of influence is an existential threat to Russia.
• thr0wawayf00 5y ago
  There's absolutely no way he survives politically from a pullout in Ukraine. His entire image is built upon the authoritarian "tough guy" trope and pulling out of an engagement, particularly one that he initiated has frankly been embarrassed operationally up to this point, would 100% end his regime.
• whodunnit 5y ago
  Putin won’t withdraw unless he can do so while saving face. People are not rational actors, they are emotional actors.