I think nato has misunderstood the situation. If Europe goads Russia into a hot war I doubt it would remain conventional. Then what? I’m glad we’re separating ourselves from the situation!
Everyone keeps bragging about how weak the Russian conventional force is, and how they could never stand up to US or even NATO forces.
It’s likely not too far from the truth.
But this should bring to mind a 70 year old man with a 38 in his pocket. A couple of toughs start shoving him around, abusing and humiliating him. He even tells them he has that 38 and they better back off. They laugh and go harder convinced he wouldn’t dare.
Lots of toughs have met their end just that way.