LoL, Ok, sure they can.
And Putin still isn't dining in Kiev 3 years later for what reason ?
But, let's assume you're right, and Putin has just been pulling his punches for the last 3 years.
Wouldn't you be pissed if you were the family of one of the half million Russian soldiers killed or crippled ? Like "why aren't you fighting to win ?"
It was never an all out war. This is why it is called special military operation. Destroying Ukraine was never a goal, but it is an option.