Russia and China are making military geopolitical gambles
because of the mentally crippled leadership of the USA
and the debilitating division in NATO
between new member and old member states.
For Operation Desert Storm the US and allies massed more than 500,000 troops.
Russia mobilizes almost all of its combat brigades to the border of Ukraine, and the US response is suggest 1000 to 5000 troops?
That is just a speed bump, not a serious defensive wall.
The fact they even publicly announce this is the same as inviting and encouraging an invasion of Ukraine.
Plenty of videos being posted on social media by unhappy Russians showing their conscripted sons being called up in full combat gear to report to train stations going to Ukraine border.
"In the global struggle between democracy and dictatorship, and the fight for a peaceful Europe, Ukraine is on the front lines — not unlike West Germany during the Cold War."
Since 1945 until today, U.S. soldiers have been stationed in Germany to deter a Soviet threat and now a Russian threat. I don't recall German leaders describing these deployments as "too provocative" to Moscow.
Putin's annexation of Crimea has not stopped him from continuing to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty. No NATO freeze or imposed neutrality on Ukraine will stop him either.