Putin took the Ukraine bait just like Saddam took the bait in Kuwait. We’ll see if Putin takes the bait again and directly attacks USA assets doubtful) or NATO, etc. I think he’ll incrementally escalate.
It wasn’t taking bait. It was no options left but roll. If he did nothing Kiev was going to launch it’s attack on the separatist areas. And Ukraine was going to brought into NATO. Zelinsky also said about a year ago they wanted nukes.
So if Russia didn’t roll, there would be a NATO army, hosted by a nazi nation on their border forever.
It was now or never. A bad option and a really bad option.
I agree on the first part, partially, but attacking US assets is inevitable at this point and isn’t taking a bait anymore but a retaliation. Putin is not going to do it directly of course.