The way he put this question is a total RED HERRING!
1. In a nuclear war, NOBODY is going to win, and 2/3rd to 3/4s of the worlds population will cease to exist.
2. In a conventional war, Europe can roll Russia, and Putin knows it; along with anyone else who looks at war materials, manpower, and Navy strength. (plus the Russian performance in Ukraine)
Trust me------------------>Russia knows it doesn't have a snowballs chance with a conventional war; which is why they and the North Koreans are always threatening to use nukes.
Fact is------------->France, Germany, Poland, and Ukraine together would steam roll Russia in 4 to 5 months time in a conventional war. Russia would have a Naval Blockade where nothing would get through. But here in lies the problem--------------->unlike the Western powers of Europe, when Russia crosses a border, nobody fires a nuke. You cross the Russian border with a bunch of armies, and Moscow will shoot off nukes like crazy.
And so..............when someone proclaims to you that Russia is going to take over Europe if the US does not get totally involved, they are GASLIGHTING YOU; unless of course, the large Western Powers of Europe just sit there passively. And if that is what they decide to do? Then who are we...........the ugly and supposedly warmongering Americans.............to demand that they let us come in, and fight their war for them....a war that if they are being passive, they do not want to wage or obviously win in the 1st place!