Sounds like the problem we’re having here in the USA. The answer is to arm up enough to defend yourself but not enough to impoverish yourself, then focus on building up the economy to make yourself wealthy.
Russia's economy is not comparable to ours. Even when we're at our worst.
All Russkies are bad!
MichaelCorleone: Um. No. I don't think there will be any hot war with Russia anytime soon nor should there be...but there is a clearly war of information and narratives. Too many Westerners have placed their bets on Russia as some saving grace, the same way Leftists did during Soviet times...When in reality, we should have more faith in the West, in saving it from within, and supporting leaders like Trump.
Also: if there's anybody that has much to lose under Putin's antics. It's average Russians themselves. Even though many are brainwashed to believe otherwise.
I think it's rather selfish when Americans defend Putin without having to actually live under his policies.