What made Putin blink was the Ukrainians. Not only are they stacking up Russian GRU bodies in the morgue, but they successfully outsmarted the Russkies in the propaganda war. Ukraine still has a long road ahead of it, but if they maintain their fighting spirit, they have a chance. They can’t expect help from the West, only hindrance.
Ukraine finally went to war, instead of rolling over. How much western influence is behind them finally fighting back I don’t know, but clearly the pro russians had infiltrated the highest levels of their government and military prior to Russia finally taking action... The purge of them has begun and they are fighting back.
I just wonder how much of that is due to western influence to fight back, or Ukrainians finally saying FU to the peace in our time appeasement westerners and going it alone.