Because that would still be a lie. NATO is already at 160km from Saint Petersburg. Russia share border with NATO already. Russia share border with the US already.
The real reason is that Putin wanted to immortalize his figure in Russian history by expanding the Russia empire like Peter the great.
Now is fighting because of sunk cost fallacy. He simply cannot stop.
Because that would still be a lie. NATO is already at 160km from Saint Petersburg. Russia share border with NATO already. Russia share border with the US already.
The real reason is that Putin wanted to immortalize his figure in Russian history by expanding the Russia empire like Peter the great.
Now is fighting because of sunk cost fallacy. He simply cannot stop.