You seem to think Russia desires a direct war against NATO?
No, but Ukraine surely looked like an ideal raiding target, if not to say "seductively plumpy" as a prey. 40 million people, giant industry (comparatively to Russia,) arms, and military hardware factories, double digit of Europe's grain, sea access, lots of "nobrainer" business opportunities like hauling drugs to EU.... and virtually no army for country of such size.
Russia never ever attacked a stronger enemy in a few hundred years as my knowledge of history tells. Russia got our Northeastern lands without firing a shot, through trickery. British did the shooting, and Russia did the landgrab.
It been very predictable in conquering 50+ independent nations over the last 3 centuries. They only fight "free" wars, with zero chance of enemy turning the table, either through allied treaties (WW1, Persia, Balkans, China,) or having the "run away before the winter comes" card in the pocket if the invasion fails.
And natoified Ukraine — a prey turning predator overnight is indeed complete breakdown of the plan, and the overall political system.
It's very much like Japs made them a new one in 1905, and they jumped into WW1 because Moscow was desperate to save the "scary russian bear" image.
I am completely not convinced with Putin-Hitler analogy. Putin is no Hitler, he thinks completely differently. He is more like a financial professional, or better say "hostile takeover artist."
Military-wise, I simply see no analogies whatsoever, he is a man outside of that domain. I see not a single piece of military strategy he ever executed besides "grab all troops, and dump them there"
A more befitting analogy, I think, will be with Dongbei gang bros. Tatooed fatties, loud, scare showoff guys who tax granny traders, and call themselves triads.
When they finally get themselves into trouble, and run into real Canto mafia, they start to sweat profusely, shout, scream, shoot their gun in the air, only to be taken out without noise, and further ceremonies. And then, they disappear.
And after this happens, they will be out of the town for the next 2-3 years for sure.
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