I like to think the world has changed a bit since the cold war era where every country involved towards one another was a shrouded mystery. These days our economies are so reliant to each other that it simply is not profitable to go to war against each other. Because you just destroy and annihilate your own customers
Russias 'We dont want Ukraine to join NATO because of security concerns' is a bit of a joke anyway. Maybe in the eyes of Putin, his geopolitical standing looks weaker - but honestly no one gives a damn about that image but Putin. But lets say they take Ukraine ... How many NATO countries would end up bordering the 'New Russia?'. They'd be in an even more 'precarious' position than before. There are already a few NATO countries bordering them as it is.
Ukraine's desire to join NATO is not up to Russia to decide. Besides, Russia has a nuclear deterrent. And if Russia stays in their lane, I doubt NATO would dare step foot on them. The only threat NATO poses for Russia is NATO troops on countries Russia would want to take. I highly doubt we are going to see NATO troops on Russian soil marching their way to Moscow. Or planes dropping bombs on Russian cities. That will never happen
The brutal reality for Russia is, the world doesn't give a damn to invade them.
Also no one calling for Ukraine to surrender is thinking about the longer term consequences of rewarding Russian belligerence. We did it with Hitler and look what that led to. There should be no doubt in anyones mind that Russia would not stop at Ukraine. Especially after being emboldened by an 'easy victory' (if we did nothing) and a NATO which is just talk
And pretty sure if Ukraine falls or we threw in the towel and told Ukraine we're done, we would have China emboldened to take Taiwan through force knowing the West is mostly talk. Our response to Russia's invasion certainly gave Xi Jinping pause about his ambitions in Taiwan I have no doubt
Also as hideous as America fucking over central America (and others) was, it simply and brutality for them, didn't have global implications. It's the same with say, Yemen. If Yemen was wiped off the face of the Earth, the global economy and everyone else's lives would chug along fine. Or China deciding the region of Xinjiang and Tibet and all its people are under their jurisdiction and authority (which it already does). It's disgusting what is happening there and elsewhere and there are dozens more countries where the populace is getting a royal fucking over either by their neighbours or their own brutal dictators and it's not making media attention simply because the implications dont affect us. If you want the world to give a damn, you need to have powerful friends and be a major exporter of goods. I have no doubt that if we weren't so dependent on Taiwans semi conductor tech, we would not give a damn what China does to them given no one recognises Taiwan's sovereignty as it is. (well we might have some stern words but that's about it).
Allowing a super power like Russia to take whatever country it wants, with a 'might is right' policy does have global implications for everyone far and wide. Especially Europe. Do we really believe they would stop at Ukraine? Who wants the USSR back? Do we really believe that it will be bloodless? I'd hazard a guess there will be far more deat hand destruction and global destablisation if we allow Russia it's victory
On the plus side of the war, Putins once feared army has been relegated to a joke. Even if they take Ukraine at this point, they might not dare tempt to take anything else now...
In Australia's case, China is trying to expand its influence in the South Pacific. It is believed the Chinese 'bribed' the Solomans Island leader that would allow Chinese naval ships to be stationed there. Of course, being the non corrupt law abiding global citizens we are, we aren't going to invade the Soloman Islands and dictate who they can sign deals and treaties with, even if we believe it was dodgy and corrupt. (That would be out of Americas old playbook). Our playbook was always to maintain friendly relations and help and support them with aid and infrastructure projects etc. Something our last government neglected and perhaps why China took advantage. In Australias (and other South Pacific nations cases), China really is a threat and has made no secret of it's goals and ambitions. China is the Russia of the south pacific (but thank god we all have water borders)
I am guessing the rising threat of China is why America and the UK in the AUKUS agreement help us acquire nuclear submarines. In one way, it's nice to see China squirm but in another way, it's a tool for escalation that could start trouble. But deescalation tactics only works when you have neighbours not interested in conflict I guess and China, well it does what it pleases.