Just when you think teh stupid over there cannot get worse.
I have been doing a LOT of real, objective research on this since this whole shebang began and I assure the DUmmie that Putin CANNOT REVERSE COURSE.
Putin's supporters see the same things as he: a NATO Ukraine will be a clear, present and ongoing danger to Russia. The economic windfall from the oil pipelines to Europe from Russia which Ukraine is charging EXORBATANT fees for ALONE will pay for the cost of full scale invasion in short order. As for EU/NATO sanctions, consider this: Germany gets 35% of its oil and 50% of its natural gas from Russia. If it pushes too hard, Russia takes the economic hit and shuts the pumps off. Germany cannot afford that so all the rest of this stuff is just window dressing.