Russia partners like China and India expressing concerns over Ukraine may have forced Putin's hand and driven him to try and end the war quickly, Russia scholar says

Just days after some of Putin's supposed partners publicly expressed doubt over the war, the Russian president went ahead with it.

Russia has been ostracized by the world since it invaded Ukraine. As Russia became more isolated, some nations either stood by Putin or didn't condemn him.

China and India have been powerful partners of Russia throughout the war and have refused to impose sanctions. The leaders of both countries spoke out against the war.

Putin acknowledged that China's president had questions and concerns about the war during a meeting with him. Modi criticized the war during a meeting with Putin.

Modi told Putin that the era of war was over and that he had spoken to him.

I know about your concerns and your stance on the conflict in Ukraine. We want the whole thing to end as quickly as possible.

Less than a week later, Putin said he was calling up 300,000 reserve soldiers to join the fight, something he had avoided doing for fear of backlash. The announcement came after the Ukrainian military made significant gains.

It would take weeks or months for the troops to be trained, equipped, and deployed, according to experts. Putin's decision to take this step now shows how badly the war was going for Russia and how desperate he was to turn it around.

According to Insider, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, whose work focuses on Russian politics and economics, "That Putin would do this shows how badly he feels the need to change the momentum, which has been all in Ukrainians' favor."

Robert English is a professor at the University of Southern California who studies Russia, the Soviet Union, and Eastern Europe.

English said that the evidence of criticism of allies like China or India put more pressure on him. According to him, the leaders of those nations told Putin that the situation in Ukraine was damaging their reputations on the world stage and costing them money.

English thinks Putin heard that the US would not stay at his side for another six months.

English said that he was trying to up the ante. The best way to change the military balance is by him.

If Putin mobilizes troops in order to end the war as soon as possible, it's not clear if it will succeed.

English said that military aide and intelligence from the West has given the Ukrainians an advantage on the battlefield. It won't do the job.