You ever stop to wonder: "Why am I telling people to see things from the 'point of view' of pathological liars, murderers who butcher their own people, who rule over a country of slavery?"
Sigh. The answer to your question in post #26 is this. When you make the effort to see the point of view of others (in this case Russia), you are much better able to anticipate their moves, and if need be, to counter their moves.
Consider a game of chess, you against me. When I make a move, you should be asking yourself WHY did I make that move, what motivated me to do that?
Looking at the point of view of others should not be seen as a weakness(although it often is). I
Done properly, it is a form of intellegence-gathering.