Initially they really deluded themselves into thinking they could defeat or at least severely degrade Russia. Instead all they managed to do is make Russia much, much stronger in all respects: militarily, economically and diplomatically.
The West all but admits the first two, and the only reason they still can't see the last is because they are stuck in their bubble where they think that the entire "international community" consists only of the West and its vassals.
Initially they really deluded themselves into thinking they could defeat or at least severely degrade Russia. Instead all they managed to do is make Russia much, much stronger in all respects: militarily, economically and diplomatically.
The West all but admits the first two, and the only reason they still can't see the last is because they are stuck in their bubble where they think that the entire "international community" consists only of the West and its vassals.