A country needs education, infrastructure, money, people, markets, and above those, stability first to go on the road towards science tech capability and eventually some commercial and industrial strength which only after that comes political and military power.
Most of those countries that have been bullied, are bullied, will be bullied have not had a chance to even start on the first step of this road. They are not even offered the opportunity for stability.
I think PakistanForever when he says why was massacring millions of brown and Muslim peoples okay and no condemned is him trying to say there is a huge double standard clear for all to see. All who are not in benefit of those wars or recognizing the atrocity and criminality of those wars.
The US waged dozens of wars since WW2. Almost none can be justified even in the slightest way. Their excuses and reasons were more false, exaggerated, poor than Russia's reasons here. At least with Russia here it is somewhat of an existential threat for long term to lose Ukraine influence to US and then host US labs, weapons, missiles, BMD, possibly even nukes.
I can't support Russia because it initiated violence and they are playing for influence as well but they are easier to understand than even Vietnam or Korean wars which had even worse reasons... unless you are the type who benefit from them or feel you are part of that tribe so you must find a way to support Vietnam and Korean wars.
Now US wars since oil crisis in 1970s were even worse. Downright criminal. Their punishment? Only God above can give to those who lied and cheated their way to justifying that level of violence and destruction against the poor and the ones who have posed no threat, and had nothing except some influence over the direct long term interest of US influence over global energy, trade, and money.