The hard truth is that the West is already finished; we simply haven't woken up to the realization yet. Russia will gain most of its objectives (including taking the Baltic states, making Germany pay "reparations" and watching the final collapse of the hollow joke that is today's NATO) not because Russia is strong - obviously it's a shambles - but because we're spineless, stupid, and addicted to endless democratic self-harm. Yes, Russia aided Brexit, Le Pen, Trump, and pretty much every far-right and far-left politician and Party you can think of. But in the end it was fat empty-headed self-obsessed Western citizens who voted for leaders dedicated to eradicating literally every single thing those same voters rely on for their safety and prosperity. With the vermin Trump waddling back into the White House in 2025 the doors are now wide open for every dictator on the planet to do (in the words of vice-vermin Vance) "whatever the hell they want." Russia never feared NATO expansion and Putin is acutely aware of NATO's total lack of capability, both political and (minus the USA) militarily. We, meanwhile, remain fast asleep while the wheels of history are advancing to crush us.