Putin is attempting to install buffer states between Russia and everybody else. He is, in effect, reestablishing the Soviet Union. The best thing NATO can do is try to act non-threatening. (That’s because the US is NATO’s only stick. The organization by itself is barely a Russian speed bump. With Obama in charge the US can’t be relied on for ANYTHING.)
Putin has been rebuilding the USSR in his own image ever since he attained the top spot in Russia well over a decade ago. Even calls it the “Eurasian Union” as a sort of jab towards the European Union. But notice that Putin’s strongest rhetoric is reserved against the USA.
This is just plain old 19th century Russian imperialism. Russia has no right under current international norms to declare sovereign states on its periphery to be 'zones of influence'. This isn't 1890.
The Germans are acting because the Poles are pushing them, and it has become apparent to everyone that Obama has no interest (to put it mildly) in doing anything to meet US treaty obligations.
Like Lenin, Obama is willing to make any foreign concession needed that gives him a free hand to go after his domestic political opponents and impose a one-party state at home.