I view those nations as former occupied territory. They were part of the U.S.S.R., and hardly by choice. The moment a choice was available, they chose their own destiny and asserted their independence.
Poland, Czechoslovakia... these weren’t what I would call allies in the conventional sense. Look at the uprisings in them and how the U.S.S.R. reacted.
I think there’s obviously some truth in what you say there about NATO and these countries, viewing it from the Russian perspective. What Russia forgets is that these nations spent decades under submission to soviet rule and iron handed domination. Certainly Russia can’t claim not to understand them being somewhat leery of another strong man dictator type.
Putin is reaping the byproduct of his braggadocio. It’s part of the reason why I am glad Trump hasn’t displayed his own brand toward Putin.
I’m hoping they’ll get together, Trump will assure him the U.S. would not be part of an offensive move against Russia, and Putin could relax a little.
These long rang bomber runs were part of the cold war. We’ll they are back. There’s no need for it. Putin is supposed to be a brillaint man.
For a brilliant guy he’s sure missing the forest for the trees.
He knows damn sell we’re not going to invade. On the other hand, he has.
Your note about California is correct. How will we like it if Russia sets up a base there?
It’s a realistic question. Some of the mindless folks on this forum are able to plan only one move on the chess-board at a time. That is evident. Sadly.
I don't know what Putin thinks and what he doesn't think. I know he comes from a very backward and extremely paranoid national mindset. My first wife, although born in Canada, was Ukrainian and seriously, they do not think like we do. Their paranoia is palpable and omnipresent, you cannot wring it out of them. I don't think Putin is any different.