German security officials believe the Kremlin is laying the groundwork for a potential large-scale conventional war with NATO by the end of the decade.
German media outlets Süddeutsche Zeitung, WDR, and NDR also cite the report, noting that Russian President Vladimir Putin appears intent on testing NATO’s Article 5 guarantees. The alliance’s mutual defence clause obliges member states to come to one another’s aid if attacked. The assessment suggests Putin may seek to challenge how seriously that commitment would be honoured.
Well they can both be true, It just depends on Putin's mental state.
There was a rumor going around that he is dying and he is basically just doing this to try and make a name for himself, he will rebuild the USSR and it will stand for a thousand years as him as its founding father, and all that rubbish. Of course it's impossible for that to happen, but if he's dying anyway why not try?
Hmm who do we know that will sell anything that isn't tied down and currently controls the US government and is buddy buddy with Putin? No, not Satan, but you are close!