Fomenting armed revolution in a foreign country is the very definition of starting "it". How he finishes it depends on the Ukrainians. If they think they are a separate people *and* are willing to fight to preserve their sovereignty, Russian losses will be such that one of Putin's rivals will finish him and the war in Ukraine.
“If they think they are a separate people *and* are willing to fight”
And therein lies the rub, eh?
Other than the violent Right-Sector mobs, Ukrainians in the effected areas haven’t shown any willingness to stand up for their own nation, despite orders and screams from Kiev to do so.
LOTS of factors are at work here.
“Fomenting armed revolution in a foreign country is the very definition of starting “it”.”
Kinda like what the US State Department did in Kiev?