I think the idea about this being a "clash of ideas" is probably the underlying cause.
In a Western world, the people in Russia who are now rich and powerful would end up in jail or, even worse, poor. They're not really financial geniuses or great builders of industry. So they don't see a place for themselves in a peaceful, self-enriching Europe. Living on the edge, buying houses and having holidays was fine because that's on their terms.
It's Mugabe and Zimbabwe but with nuclear weapons.
They are bullies at home - that's how they get what they want - and it comes naturally to bully abroad. Reason is a one-way tool for them. So I would suggest not wasting your time taking too much notice of their reasons. You could curl up and die and that might satisfy them or lick their boots but nothing else will be enough.