That is why I asked if you think he is insane, who would he war against?
If he forces NATO to fight him, we would decapitate his military pretty quickly,leaving Russia open to breakup and the loss of territory in the East, and slipping into vastly lower status, would Putin want to do that to Russia, as his last gesture and his legacy?
Ah. Ok!
It is a fundamental tactic of leaders in trouble to rally their citizens against a common enemy. This pattern has repeated throughout history.
The common enemy distracts the citizens from internal problems and creates a “scapegoat” for the internal problems. (Are you following Venezuela lately?)
Putin will select one or more enemies to focus on. Just watch.
In fact, this tactic has been used successfully in the US to separate different demographic groups (of whatever nature, color, religion, whatever is useful at the time). Government to the rescue!
Even though Russia is in recent economic decline they are still dangerous.