Western Europe really needs to get its act together and deal with Russia assertively or they are going get walked all over like a doormat.

Consider the following quote from a Russian General that eerily reminds us of China's threat to use nuclear weapons if the United States were to defend Taiwan in the event of an invasion of the island. (Side note: what a moronic statement. The US has developed a strong missile defense system that China lacks plus the USA's nuclear weapons greatly outnumber China's.)

Here is the quote thanks to Fox News and the Associated Press:

"We have no plans to attack anyone, but we consider it necessary for all our partners in the world community to clearly understand ... that to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Russia and its allies, military forces will be used, including preventively, including with the use of nuclear weapons," Gen. Yuri Baluyevsky said.

The reason that Europe needs to get its act together is because the threat they face is not the United States which they incessantly complain about but rather the threat of the encroachment of Russia's sphere of influence into their hemisphere. (Russia's nuclear might does not dwarf the United States so such threats ring as hollow saber rattling to US interests) Russia smells weakness and lack of will in Europe. Like I said, Europe needs to get its act together.