I cant see what west has to do with this conflict aside from providing aid to Ukraine which is fighting for its independence. West definetely wasnt the force that initiated this conflict. Like think about it the borders of Ukraine were determined by USSR which was controlled by russian elites, hell even if it wasnt modern Russian government admires them(I really cant wrap my head around their current ideology that tries to combine admire both Russian empire AND USSR which rebelled against said empire).

Also fighting one form of imperialism isnt a justification for another thats how you end up justifying inhumane. Your point about a border conflict is rather vague too as any direct imperialist expansion can be considered a ‘border conflict’ if you stretch it enough.

‘and has not ever taken over any of its neighbors through these conflicts and managed their economic affairs to Russia’s benefits.’ Well except they do it through bribing corrupt officials and helping them advance every way they can, I am saying this as a resident of a country influenced by this.