This is the failing of the tankie argument: "but but the evil US" (and to be clear, the US has done plenty of awful things) ignores that Russia's other problem here is that they do nothing to make anybody actually want to support them. And it just so happens that Russia doesn't have the friends they'd need to do what they want--who knew?--and that is a historical failing.
Appealing to power politics only works when the parties attempting to exert power aren't bad at it. It's why the weirdos online have to insist that it's a "CIA op" making Sweden and Finland look at the aggressive power next door and go "hello, NATO": because reality has kneecapped the myth.
> How is Russia going to not be belligerent if we are even thinking about letting Sweden and Finland in NATO?
And this is the argument you are making about what Russia needs. Maybe consider why Sweden and Finland wants to join NATO.
That's easy: by choosing to not be belligerent to countries exercising their sovereign autonomy.
"You're making me hit you!" No.