As an Englishman who disdains authority I agree with that. Russia’s economic performance per capita is pathetic but the vulnerability their dependence on oil creates means they’re not going to give in and let the USA, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have a pipeline route from the gulf into Europe without a struggle. Fortunately Putin has so far decided, with China, to fight an economic war rather than responding to US military provocation.
One day the politicians in London will wake up and realise that if they keep supporting American militarism and a shooting war starts, the interceptors will be taking out the ICBMs somewhere over our heads.