Excuses? Russia was ALREADY going full mobilization, after the attacks on refineries. If Putin were the dictator that MSLSD purports, he would not need a justification. War in Ukraine is not a benefit to Putin, this war was FORCED by decades of NATO expansion, violating agreements made to end the Cold War. Under your scenario, the Peace deal negotiated in 2022 would have been accepted by Ukraine, not rejected by the US and Britain. How many have died since then? Ukraine has no manpower reserves left. Unless you are counting on France. Who benefits from forever war, with no winners, only meatgrinder turmoil? Daddy Warbucks.
LOL, sure Putin's NOT a dictator just someone who has ruled Russia for almost 24 years while ALL his serious opponents have been either arrested or died. That's true democracy in action.