Associate
It's interesting to consider. Russia play the nuclear card quite vocally despite being the aggressor. They will play it when they invade Poland, they'll play it when the invade the Baltics, what about Germany?
If the West de-escalate in the face of Russian aggression surely that invites further aggression against neighbouring states. Much better to act decisively and early I think whilst the conflict is contained.
I don't know a better way to tackle Russians well established brinkmanship tactic.
Well that's the problem with the nuclear 'deterrent', when one side says it's going to use it as an offensive weapon it then becomes a liability for everyone. Russia itself needs to be dismantled and its governance restored to the Russian people rather than the gang of thugs that currently run it. We should be doing more to get information to the Russian people about the reality of the situation than we are doing.