I would say it is the opposite. Presidents like Lincoln, FDR, JFK and Reagan would agree with me. They negotiated with their bitter enemies becuase they understood that talking is better than shooting.

The oft repeated trope that "Russia only respects strength" is IMHO projection from people who feel weak and afraid, and conflate physical violence with strength. They project their feelings onto Russia.

"I'm not what you think I am. You are what you think I am."

I'll note that you didn't refute anything I said with fact or figures. Saying something is foolish or inaccurate doesn't make it so.