I agree... but your over simplifying.

There would no winners in a nuclear conflict - but Russia would be the clear loser as every non-Chinese nuclear power would nuke the crap out of them to save themselves. Russia is strong but they isnt strong enough to take on the entire rest of the world and they cant turn the entire planet into a nuclear wasteland just by themselves. US also has a defense system ready if things got that bad.

So... for this conflict that takes nuclear warfare off the table - its not important enough to escalate to that point. Well see Russia trying to manufacture reasons to invade - like saying they were attacked when they absolutely werent.

We can all agree now that you were very wrong about it just being political theatre - its a very serious situation and Putin is playing a very dangerous game right now