Hacker News Reader

For his pride and image it is, which seems to be the most important thing. Taking Ukraine also appears to be impossible at this point though. The only major city he has taken has massive protests. Subduing 40 million hostile people in a country with that much territory would require huge number of soldiers and a lot more money than Russia can afford

There's absolutely no way he survives politically from a pullout in Ukraine. His entire image is built upon the authoritarian "tough guy" trope and pulling out of an engagement, particularly one that he initiated has frankly been embarrassed operationally up to this point, would 100% end his regime.

Putin's clearly expressed belief is that lacking an imperial sphere of influence is an existential threat to Russia.

Putin won’t withdraw unless he can do so while saving face. People are not rational actors, they are emotional actors.