See, that’s the thing, that’s bad. Generally the best solution is negotiation, dialogue and compromise rather than wasting people and resources of both sides. Unless the other side refuses to negotiate (fairly), which Putin does.

Putin is a kid refusing to talk with anyone because they don’t give their toys to him, when he could suck it up and agree for both of the kids to share their toys.

How is “unwilingness to engage” a good trait?

Both of these sound like qualities of a coward. You could at least say he’s somewhat cunning, and yet you phrased it like that. He doesn’t even smile when hit, he didn’t seem particularly enthusiastic when Ukraine ruined his idea of the invasions, unless I misunderstood.