Putin's worldview - Ukraine is being adopted into NATO in order for the west to defeat Russia, when it was actually created by Russia. So if they do join NATO, then Russia has the right to take back the land
The justification for war is that Ukraine people is being held hostage by anti-Russia neo-Nazi government system that wants to exterminate Russian speaking population
NATO will use Ukraine to pressure Russia
So Putin needs to invade to both free Ukranians and protect Russians
There is a neo-Nazi white supremacy group in Ukraine that uprised to fight against the Russian's annex of Crimea in 2014
2% support in the previous election
Ukraine is united to defend against Russian invasion