[bmgoau]

You forgot the last bit: Russia takes over Ukraine, deposes it's government, kills more people, erases it's culture and identity, snuffs out one of the few nascent democracies. Sends a message to all over regional and mid powers: if you want to just take over another country, even a democracy right on Europe's doorstep, you can. China invades Taiwan.

[pydry]

This message was sent long ago by America that if your country declares itself "exceptional" any and all war crimes are acceptable.

All Putin had to say to get the global south to look the other way was "we're not different". Which was true.