WSJ referencing US intelligence as a source. Still trying anything to hunt the reds, huh.

Putin already lost all face to the outside world, and lost most face in Russia too. Just to put it into relation: WWII had about 8.4 million dead soviet soldiers on the east front, Putin's "military special operation" is at 1.4 million dead and wounded. Infrastructure, supplies, and military equipment is basically non-existent, in relation to Russia being the aggressor and the size and resources of the country. People are being forced and coerced into the Russian military to keep fresh meat coming. Ukraine got a bunch of expensive western toys and managed to surpass pretty much anything that Russia did somehow.

Attacking a NATO country would be the end of Russia as it exists and would be the end of Putin. It's suicide. There is no face to save, and there is zero chance for any positive outcome for Putin in that.