This conversation is about Russia not China. That is a completely different discussion and the politics also different.

My understanding of the situation also comes from experts. Some of whom you quoted and others that you didn’t. Ultimately even the experts you quoted (the actual ones) are explaining not assigning blame.

Russia still had a choice in all this and they pursued the dark path. They are much weaker than they used to be and this might be the start of the end of their ability to play games like this.