Why is now better timing? Last few months I was reading Putin wanted to wait for the depth of winter, so Europe couldn't retaliate without risking angry and cold voters. But the mild winter has meant his plan wasn't working out. Maybe he got mad at the weather and got desperate...

Hadn’t honestly considered that angle of it. Historically Spring is prime war making time precisely because the winter cold is not conducive to an effective mobilization effort. Even if you’re better equipped to handle the cold, winter still sucks.