"On the surface it might sound like hate speech" - Which would be appropriate, because that it what it is. The Russian people are not innately different to the people of any other nation.

Human beings are all capable of any form of behaviour. However the vast majority of people, without conditioning, compulsion or irresistible incentive, (from their perspective), simply want to be able to live peacefully in reasonable conditions.

This particular war did not eventuate because the Russian people want it but because Russia's supposed 'leadership', i.e the powerful, saw some benefit from it for themselves. In my view, probably Putin's own ambition and desire to rebuild a Russian empire in the likes of the Soviet Union.

Putin began this war and Putin could end it.