I think painting this conflict as 'democracy vs. authoritarianism' is not a correct way to view world events. Free market capitalism is failing around the world, and this has embolden command economies like China and Russa to challenge the West. I think we are seeing the break up of the hegenomy of free market capitalism and 'liberal democracy' and instead the world will fragment into smaller economies based on shared interests. The United States and its allies are losing its hegemic control over the world. By imposing sanctions on countries as the main and only response, will unfortunately, just expidite this process.