A grim but probably realistic assessment. We've had relative peace and democracy, at least in Europe, since 1945. We've grown used to that as 'normal'.

Alas, Putin is a calculating psychopath - an old style Czar whose only concern is power. He's a bully who will stop at nothing until someone else stops him. And the hopes and prayers of peaceniks and well-wishers? A waste of time. Alas.