Putin has gone too far. He cannot turn back without grasping some part of the Ukraine. This will appease the Russian people who have sacrificed so much.
The West is helpless militarily. Putin ’s army and technology are too strong. All will happen quickly. The final result depends on many factors.
Putin wants no alignment with Western Europe, but a constant confrontation that he believes he can win because of his superior military and the fragile union of Europe and the United States.