A Finnish leftist has a few thoughts about the situation with Russia and Ukraine

[Postal Grunt]

47. It would have been easier...

when Hitler sent his troops to resume their presence on the West bank of the Rhine in 1936. As part of the Treaty of Versailles, the German military was prevented from having a presence on the West bank. At that time, the German armed forces hadn't been completely re-armed and at the strength in manpower that they would have in the beginning of WW2. The combined armed forces of England and France could have put an end to Hitler's move if the politicians of both countries had some foresight. However, it was during the Great Depression when funds were short, the memory of a generation of men and leadership that had been lost was still fresh, the French had put their faith in the Maginot Line, and there was little appetite for more losses.

After that, Hitler set the stage for his attempt at domination of Europe.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remilitarization_of_the_Rhineland