Not trying to defend Russia here, I'm very well aware of their actions and opinions. Would also feel the same way Tibe and Latvian feel if I were in their boots. Russia has "special feelings" towards their country and they are so close to each other. If not for NATO, they would be in danger. But I also understand why Russia acted towards Ukraine in way they did. Ukraine is different from Baltics, it is place where Russian national identity started no matter what some smaller factions like Banderist believe. Ukraine and Russia are historically even closer than USA and Canada. Imagine if Russia turned Canada against USA, how would that end?
While they share some similarities, biggest difference between USA and other "superpowers" like Russia, China, Brazil is that they tend to mind their own business and deal with countries that have historical ties with them.