The Realist point of view is that the moral arguments go out the window when a great power feels threatened by another great power. The Russians felt threatened, and it is not for us to say they shouldn't feel that way, or that they have no justification, or whatever.

They said they felt threatened, they said it loudly and plainly over and over for years. The Minsk agreements were made to resolve those fears and keep the peace, but Ukraine ignored the agreements and kept on attacking the Donbas while building its army, receiving weapons from NATO, and talking about entering NATO.

By violating the agreements, Ukraine and the U.S. PROVED to the Russians they couldn't be trusted. Russia lined its forces up on the border and issued a final set of demands that were the same as the Minsk agreement requirements. Their demands were rebuffed, so Russia invaded.

You seem to be focusing your argument like you want to maneuver me into a corner and admit that Russia is evil for invading. I don't think they are good, evil or anything. They're just a powerful country doing what you'd expect them to do in their situation.

But if you want to judge Russia evil, be my guest. It doesn't change the fact that any fool could see they were serious when they made their demands, and any fool could see the consequences and likely outcome of the war to follow.

Which brings me to my final point. Ukraine is in the process of being destroyed. Hundreds of thousands have died and a profound refugee crisis is about to unfold as the power goes out in Ukraine for good. And all anyone had to do to prevent it was abide by agreements already made.