“Any show of strength and resolve would make them run and hide.”
Already too late for that.
And while the West is technologically superior, is there really a will to use it in Ukraine? I don’t see it.
The Ukrainians have to stand up for themselves first, and other than the Northwest radicals, we haven’t seen any real signs that they are willing to do so.
You are correct that Ukrainians need to stand up for themselves first to count on any significant help from the West. On the other hand, letting Russia continue the Reconquista clearly endangers world peace.
We’ll wait and see...