Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regional bullying and authoritarian grip on power have long triggered international concern, but the invasion of Ukraine has ratcheted fears and speculation to new heights around the questions of what Mr. Putin actually wants and how much he is willing to risk to achieve it. The answer to what makes Mr. Putin tick may be less complex than many have theorized, said longtime Russia expert Donald N. Jensen: “He wants Russia to be a great, imperial power ruled by a czar figure — himself.” “Such analyses of Putin’s political behavior have at times led to a lack of predictive power regarding Russia’s actions or to heightened emotional predictions of a new Cold War or military conflict between Russia and the West,” Mr.