If we are going back to the main point then, being involved is not starting the war. Russia started the war when it crossed the border. All these “geopolitical games” amount to is Russia believing that Ukraine should not be an autonomous state. It disliked the country’s move to the west and invaded.

Of course there are always influences and pulls between nations. Those factors may influence the decision to start a war, but the war is started when the aggressor attacks.