More death wouldn't, but a solid established and supported promise of retaliation in case of aggression from either side would.

And "we" here means the democratic world - solidarity is the only way to deter bullies - if Russia knew that EU/US would retaliate in case of an attack on Ukraine, they wouldn't invade.

But of course if you yourself is a bully, you will do everything in your power to cause feuds. And here we are, oh well.