Putin's games are internal
PR stuff. Former Super Powers have often huge difficulties of letting go, once the glory faded away.
You give him way too much credit py panicking so much.
Why would a president for ife with complete control of the media require
PR?
You think invading Ukraine and causing the death of up to 10,000 Russians and Ukrainians is 'internal
PR'?
The Russian people don't need convincing by Putin in any case. They want the return of the Russia Empire and they know they can get it. The NATO Nazi's won't be able to stop them. Do you seriously believe that Nato will go nuclear to defend the Baltic's? Because if there is any doubt, nothing will stop Russia.
Poland isn't convinced either, after the Western Betrayal in 1939, promises of military help are give a very skeptical review.
And btw. Russia is as capitalist as it gets. Compared to that most European states are socialist.
Their view of capitalism is whoever has the most weapons can kill and steal the best. Given that their society was formed from a gangster war in the 1990's (after 200 years of dictatorships) its hardly surprising. Al Copone was a capitalist from the same mould as those running Russia today. They don't believe in democracy or the will of the people or any of that bull****. Ukraine still has 2200 Lenin statues, Russia probably tens of thousands, because he is still a hero and rose tinted spectacles makes the Russians yearn for the return of the 'Soviet Union'.