for Russia the stakes are existential
No. For Ukraine the stakes are existential. Not Russia.
Russia is invading Ukraine.
You're talking about communist utopia kind of world.
In real world, there are only select few countries with UN veto power, and they play by different rules.
USA didn't see Russia as partner after collapse of Soviet Union, but as defeated side in cold war.
We're now looking at consequences, as Russia doesn't seem willing to play that role
No, I'm talking about the war in Ukraine.
Putin wants Ukraine to be Russia. That's what makes it an existential threat to Ukraine.
Putin fooled you. He claimed there was an existential threat at the beginning of the war, when he thought he had the power to topple Zelenskys government, to justify his decision to invade but the reality is if he wouldn't have invaded NATO wouldn't be expanding as quickly and Ukraine wouldn't be fast tracked to join the EU. Do you really think Russias existence depends on whether or not Putin is able to annex a few regions in the South and East of Ukraine? Because that's all that's left. Use your brain.