He could not allow NATO to expand into Ukraine even when he was strengthening his allies in the east. It was a redline for Russia and Putin was duty bound to enforce it.
these guys also probably would hate it if India took back POK and made some moves on in our neighborhood.
Also, remember that this has also revealed a lot of weak people who think that strategic objectives can only be achieved without pain and in very less time.
Russians are grinding along and in the end will probably get 90 percent of what they want. If this is a setback, I would love India to have such setbacks in the future.
What is the point of our future and current initiatives internally like growing a MIC and other laws if we are not going to expend effort or make decisions that are meant to take strategic objectives for our gain.
I hope POK is still in the hearts of the so-called 'nationalists' on our side but it can apply to any goal we set out to reach.
Also learn to ignore the whiners when we do take an initiative so that we dont stall when we try to take the shot.