Yes, you're right. It just that the comparison with Ukraine (invaded for no rational reason) + 'wiping out' made me think sejje was making a stronger (?) hypothetical.
I think we're have strayed too far from the point of ´might makes right' is bad, actually. GP very clearly chose Italy as an example because it's less polemic than the obvious option with a enormous manufacturing base and nukes.
Response was: Yes, Italy could choose to do so. However, American would probably delete Italy if Italy made that choice.
So France would not be looking at the US deleting Italy for no reason.