NO

They didn't believe him when he told them what he would do wrt Ukraine if they didn't back off ... but they didn't believe him, didn't back off, and he did EXACTLY what he said he would do.

Putin isn't bluffing. He is just "Telling it like IT IS" from the Russian perspective and belief system.

The problem with the US leaders NOT believing him is THEIR problem, NOT Putin's. He is being very very clear with his messaging.