Russia - threadbanned users in OP

But that is what Putin has been saying, anyway. One of the reasonings given for invading Ukraine was as a response to NATO expansionism. Putin has already been blaming the West for starting the war, and Putin then claims only to be protecting Russia by preventing Ukraine's joining NATO.

I'd argue that the only reason that NATO did not give a firmer ultimatum in February was because of war fatigue in NATO countries, especially in the USA, plus the energy concerns of EU countries. Putin correctly calculated that his invasion would not be met with direct resistance from NATO, but it remains the blind spot of blind spots that he didn't calculate the amount of military support the country would receive.

Putin's also been in Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Uzbekistan since June. Of course, what they all have in common is that they're all authoritarian regimes that are allied with Russia, and they're all in close physical proximity to Russia. And all but Iran are former Soviet countries, and those 4 are either members or "associated countries" of the CIS. He doesn't have the greatest choices of holiday destinations at present.

Georgia, Crimea, Syria etc. and a few other similar "Victories" that went unchallenged in any meaning full way, lulled Putin into a false sense of security, plus he was unaware of the real state of his military. For a crook, he really was blind to how much his fellow crooks were effectively robbing from him (as head of state) of cash meant to update and modernize the military. But NATO were just the excuse, the real reason for the invasion was the mineral oil/gas wealth that is in Ukraine. That was what he really wanted. Now come hell or high water, he has to be stopped, and any Country helping him needs stopping too. One thing is for sure though, for one man, he is causing a world (literally) of trouble. And the World needs to develop new strategies to handle any future outbreaks like this.

You could say the same perditing on the red parts

I know someone comes along once a week to say that Belarus are possibly about to join the war but it actually seems that they might be stupid enough to do it soon enough. Intelligence Services seem to think that it has become more likely. The Ukrainians seem to be reacting to this increased threat too. A Sergeant released the following message, addressed directly to Belarussian soldiers on social media (it reminds me a little of the speech that Zelensky made on the night of 23rd of Feb when he addressed Russian troops):

Including the Ukrainian government who told the Americans to stop causing panic with rumours of an invasion?

There are thousands of laws and rules, and even an International Criminal Court for people just like Putin, and they have put many war criminals behind bars... Milosevic (Serbia) Charles Taylor, (Liberia) Ex President of Sudan, Bashir, is another one wanted by the Hague. . (Google "The Hague" for complete list) and there are more outstanding arrest warrants, some going back many years, there are currently warrants out for 3 Russians accused of war crimes in Georgia, in 2008. So, issuing warrants is one thing, bringing criminals to justice is something else. Especially when they are the president of a Country.

Even the threat of rape against their own citizens when opposing mobilization

"The War With Ukraine is Coming Home to Russians"

What convinced me Putin was going to invade were the satellite images of the very large field hospital they set up. I thought it unnecessarily large and costly for an exercise .

Precisely, and the US would be delighted to not say "no" to the proposal that wasn't put to them. I think Israel will make a move, but they won't even comment before or afterwards.