“It might not have been easy, but Russia could have been slowly brought into the European fold”
They made a significant effort to that end for almost two decades. Every effort they made was met with insult, disdain, and exploitation.
And DC managed to turn them into a foe again... for profit and cynical political reasons. And they will now be a foe for several decades at least.
The Left adored the Soviet Union, recall Gorbasms where they went orgiastic over Gorbechov.
When the Soviet system collapsed, the left began acting like a jilted lover.
And ever since they’ve done as you mentioned.
Who made a ‘significant effort’? Russia, or Europe/US?
“Every effort they made was met with insult, disdain, and exploitation.”
And lots of money.
It was enormous foreign investments (and tech) that gave Russia the petroleum and gas production infrastructure that has been the basis of its economy over the last 20 years.
https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/BX.KLT.DINV.CD.WD?locations=RU
Russia (Putin really) reacted to Russias new prosperity by becoming an international d******d.