Also, I do understand that Putin is not mad. He has a carefully planned long-term plan, and seeks to effectively gain his main objectives. OK. Only that I don't quite see how he has (mis)calculated this. For example, if he wishes there to be less NATO troops deployed in former Soviet states, and if he wishes the EU to be weak and divided, then what exactly did he expect to happen when he invades Ukraine? We are already seeing the results; European countries quickly upgrading their military budgets, stationing more NATO troops to the eastern flank, countries temporarily putting aside their disagreements so that EU can stand united. By his very own actions Putin is getting exactly the opposite he wanted to have. This leaves me unimpressed. If don't consider anything like "the common good of mankind", but just look at this as a game of strategic military objectives, then it really looks like Putin has made a series of counter-productive decisions, causing his own objectives to fade away, leaving him with nothing to win.