Has anyone sussed out Putin's end game? I can't figure it out.

 I hope someone is trying to suss out Putin's end game cause I can't figure it out.  Let's go off what he's said, what we've observed and add in a few educated guesses...

1.  He said that he does not seek to occupy Ukraine.  Ok cool but its pretty clear that if he doesn't occupy it, then he's looking at an "enduring troop presence".

2.  After a slow start the Ukrainians are all in when it comes to the defense of their nation.  The internet is applauding.  Good.  The internet forgets that Putin has a pretty hefty reserve that is still not involved in the fighting (waiting just across the border).  It could be that they're using the old USSR tactic of fighting a unit till its no longer considered combat capable and then relieving them, but they haven't been following any playbook or tactic that I know of from the USSR or Russia (gained by basic knowledge of reading old CIA annuals on USSR strength, field manuals and a brief or two).

3.  He's signaled to Ukrainian leaders that he is ready to send a delegation to talk...if they surrender.

4.  The US/NATO is putting even more forces on alert.  From the US we're still looking at light fighters.  Is this more symbolism or are they detecting something that they haven't publicized or are they expecting a refugee catastrophe?  I just don't know.

Put just those few tidbits together and its all smoke.  I can't see thru it and can't piece it together.

Any ideas?