You are absolutely right. If Putin had any intelligence or strategic mind he would ally with NATO instead of challenging us into a confrontation. He has no experience leading troops into combat or fighting in battle. Putin is stuck in the Cold War. He just cannot accept the defeat of the EVIL EMPIRE he loyally served all his life. He lusts for vengeance. Putin is driven not by his higher faculties but by his most base instincts.
Seems like he’s the one being pressed against the wall. US meddles in Slavic affairs, make an attempt to snatch the Black Sea naval base from Russia and he is not supposed to react?