Well I won't rule on the general statement about Russia but their nuclear arsenal isn't being used to change any of our stated policies. They're not saying "stop doing X or we will use nuclear weapons". What most or all current nuclear armed nations have done is basically used their nukes to maintain the status quo -- a Nash equilibrium of non-usage.

Russia invaded Crimea some months ago. Only a nuclear power could have done that without retaliation.

Yes. That's my point. Most of us live under terrorist regimes. Black people are terrorized by the police. The middle east is terrorized by the US. We're terrorized by Russia.

To isolate a few and to give them the label of "terrorist" for being a bit more terrifying is a form of brainwashing.