We may be stuck on semantics. I'm using soft power in the sense of organizing free nations against potential Russian hegemony. Hard power, as in military action, has never worked in Russia. Just ask France or Germany . . .

We are beyond a place where bellicosity will sway Russia at all. But don't worry, the further they slide toward fascism, the less competitive and powerfu they will (eventually) become. In some ways, they are already there. Despite record energy revenues, just look at their emmigration patterns to see how dire things are.