russia should just launch those nukes and be done with it

If Russa was in nato in 2014 and Ukraine was not then NATO would feel justified in its partner securing their naval base amid a coup.
If they were both members then there would ne no need to as its naval base and port would be secured.
It's that simple

NATO exists as protection from Russia. Counters the Warsaw Pact.

This post was edited by Skinned on Mar 10 2022 05:53am

Your if then statement is still missing a because part + evidence. It's a little more complex.

NATO is an atavism from the cold war.

being french and discussing war

You're misusing atavism. Cold war never stopped.

I agree on all points. Huge error from Putin even if he is successful in destroying the Ukrainian army and changing the regime for a time

Interesting read all

Never stopped on the part of the US efforts you say?