They also have an example of...themselves - that all it takes to be left alone is being reasonable and not needlessly bellicose towards their great power neighbor

I think you forgot to add 'so far...' that all it takes to be left alone is being reasonable and not needlessly bellicose towards their great power neighbor so far.

and either way, there is nothing at all that Ukraine did that justifies the murder and rape of thousands of civilians including children. Russia has forfeit their place on the stage to be treated as a rational actor. At this point its like saying all you need to do is not purchase a firearm to provoke your serial killer neighbor.

Like how invaded Finland, stole a bunch of land, and then interfered with Finland's internal politics so much they came up with the term "Finlandization" for it?

Not a great example dude. Everyone eventually hits the "Poland" moment, where you can't keep appeasing a dictator.

Ukraine was bellicose by objecting to Russia’s multiple invasions of its territories?