Not understanding, or simply denying through ignorance or stupidity, the impact of NATO's eastward expansion on the Russian mentality, in particular Putin, is asinine. NATO is not responsible for this conflict, Putin is of course, but lets be absolutely clear, the expansion of NATO eastwards has long been a source of irritation for Putin and is for sure an excuse that Putin has used to justify Russian imperialist expansion into Ukraine.
Don't believe me? This is from a month ago.
Russian leaders have watched with mounting resentment as the transatlantic alliance has nearly doubled its membership since the end of the Cold War. President Vladimir Putin has drawn a red line in U…
www.cfr.org