I'm starting to lean in the opposite direction. I think he would have been less likely to use nukes had he taken Ukraine in a relatively quick fashion.
The longer this goes on, the more damage is done to Russia and their image of a strong nation. By all accounts this has been an embarrassment for Russia and I could see Putin getting desperate.
What does NATO have to fear from Russia besides their nukes at this point? Absolutely nothing, and if they're not actually willing to use them then no one has anything to fear from Russia. I just don't think that sits well with them as a country.
Hopefully I'm wrong but desperate times.
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