Why Putin did not topple Kiev

Why Putin did not topple Kiev up front and save all the death and destruction, and how in doing so he played into the hands of the demonic western leaders.
Putin does not have a full grasp of western thinking at the level of power.
He ascribes common sense in political judgement where there is none.
He ascribes courage where there is none.
These two factors led him to believe that taking Kiev out instead of destroying the country would rebound on Russia leading to nuclear annhilation world wide.
There is no other explanation.
The truth is the west would not have the balls to respond in that way.
The truth also is that the west relishes destruction as long as they are not part of the victims.
They relish the destruction of Ukraine.
They are playing him like a fiddle.

A quick regime change in Kiev in the beginning would have put an end to sanctions as well as there would be no point in continuing them, even in their eyes. It would be harder to justify at least as the deed would be a fait accompli.
He had to balance the risks but he also had to weigh those risks in the scales of truth, justice and compassion.
Donbass is still being bombed, the reason for the invasion,  11 months into the invasion.
The Nazi regime is still in power – the second reason for the invasion and meanwhile the country lies in ruins.
Hey Putin. You waited 8 years too long because of similar fears. Now is the time to take control of yourself and Kiev.