Russia and Ukraine

[Anomalocaris]

balance of power, or might, is the only good recipe for international relations.

I am beginning to think you are less evil than uninformed.
Balance of power is a political doctrine. It tells you nothing about what tools should be considered moral, immoral, "right" or "wrong", legal or illegal, in order to achieve this balance of power.
"Might makes right" is a moral thought.

less evil?   I am insulted!     I am plenty evil enough to see that the necessities of establishing balance of power involves stronger powers intimidating and invading weaker ones.  Prevent the attainment of absolute global power by one power that would corrupt the world absolutely, or anything close to it, is a far higher moral imperative than protecting the sanctity of countries whose short term interest it is to enhance such power on the part of another.