True, in terms of geopolitical behavior it's actually closer to the old Russian Empire.
Russia is not a serious ideological or military threat to the West.
Certain pieces of "the West", say, Estonia, are not going to agree with the latter 1/2 of that. And if Russia is not a serious military threat, then, from a military standpoint, why not put troops in, say, Kherson, Ukraine, as a tripwire?
As for ideology, I am not so sure: We are as a whole more decadent and soft, not to mention divided, no?
More important though, is that any current Russian "threat" is relatively irrelevant. What will kill us is the logical progression of events if the US, and especially its people, are found to be lacking will and integrity, both by those with whom we have security agreements, and by those who are restrained in their agression by those alliances.
The West should be more concerned with its own economic, political and social well being.
Lack of either internal or external focus will be our ruin.
There is no question that Russia is not the USSR but it is also true that modern America is not the United States of 1960. There is no longer the strong consensus of faith, morality and personal integrity that once made America a stalwart to celebrate freedom and resist communism. Sadly the culture has changed. It is important to remember that the election and reelection of Obama did not happen in a political vacuum.
It is important to recognize new realities. NATO was formed to create a common defense against a triumphant, powerful ideological foe. It was very necessary from 1946 thru 1990. However that threat no longer exists. The United States finds itself funding and manning much of the EU defense. What is worse is those treaty obligations and NATO expansion, the United States could find itself involved in conflicts that have almost no bearing on the security and critical interests of the United States. For instance if one day Syria supported by Iran and Russia were to start a border war with Turkey, would it be appropriate for young American to die and American resources committed? Ukraine is a hybrid state. The Eastern sections are Orthodox and Russophilic. The Western sections are Catholic and identify with the West. Somehow the locals have to work out their own consensus.
The next thirty years will be critical for the United States. Sadly it does seem to be entering a post Christian neo pagan decadent multicultural era. Much has to happen domestically before it has the power and influence it once had.