As confused as the remarks of sometimes are (as here), I believe/fear that there is a not insignificant kernel of truth underlying his statements. The years-long eastward expansion of the North Pacific Pact (Putin supposedly as a pacifist could not object), the expansion of missile defense shields, Ukraine being essentially on call in NATO's "waiting loop" on the one hand, while on the other hand keeping completely quiet about the Crimea annexation in 2014; again since last year the clear stance that Ukraine is militarily on its own in the event of a Russian invasion (apart from of course the 5,000 German helmets) and that a Russian invasion would be regrettable. But Putin did already show his pacifist tendencies with NATO eastward expansion. At least I do not consider the thesis "Putin feels cornered" entirely absurd.