That declaration was needed. It goes along with my reasoning. Russia has to lose. The longer it will continue the war, the more painful the end will be.

We could do better by declaring full military support for Ukraine in January 2022. We might end the war sooner. But, that kind of declaration there and then, for Putin, would be a validation for the war. He might have more authentic support among Russians. Then, the probability of WWIII would be greater. There is no way to defeat a tyrant without a fight.