Let's be honest the real reason Putin invaded Ukraine is because he wanted a Russia controlled buffer between mainland Russia and the west.

What could possibly have led him to decide thats what would be best for the ruling class of his country? Did he or other members of the Russian government never express this sentiment? If they did, what were their reasons, and regardless of what those reasons were, why wasn't enough done about them?

Are all questions you should think about and look into maybe