I read these two sentences as being at odds with each other.
Respectfully, I don’t.
Remember the days leading up to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, when anyone with half a brain could see what was coming? THAT was the time to say “never again”, and prove that the horrors of war hadn’t been forgotten: by taking a hard stance and not even allowing it to start.
Instead, politicians dragged their feet, bickered, and accepted Putin’s lies even though they knew better. Now, even the rosiest, most optimistic scenario will have to include unnecessary death and destruction. I don’t think we should take his threats of nuclear war seriously, either, unless we want to establish a precedent of letting any nuclear power commit any atrocity they want.