Why on Earth do they keep saying Russia can turn around and stop?

I saw a former minister of defense use this talking point in a debate on national television a while back, and I felt like I was about to have a stroke.

Like yeah, you're technically correct that the Russians could do that, but the actual chance of it happening is basically zero, so why are you bringing it up? You know this! What the hell kind of argument is this even supposed to be?