I figure Joe knows what he's doing. I'm just trying to figure out why he's doing it the way he is, there are different forces at play here, from the hardline east Europeans, America, UK and Canada, to softer Germany and French to the pro Putin Hungarian. Recently the French and Germans have had a change in attitude, now that the Russian energy is gone, and Ukraine looks promising. They needed more air defense and weapons of all kinds, I'm all for it and it should have happened already. However, they had the best strategic and tactical advice on the go and can think for themselves, the Russian army had to be attrited first by blunting their idiotic offensives while offensive power was assembled, and the army readied. A lot of territorials in trenches in the east took a lot of artillery fire wearing them down and taking a lot of causalities while the offensive forces prepared.
Vlad is a cornered animal, no sudden moves or he could lash out in fear and panic. The last thing you need is the Russian people behind him with scenes like the photo you posted happening in Moscow shown on TV, the draft dodgers would return home and sign up.