eastward expansion of NATO since '92

the eastward expansion of the EU into Russia's "sphere of influence"

Wouldn't have been long before Ukraine was fully within the West's sphere of influence.

This was probably their last best chance to turn the tide.

Which isn't to excuse Putin or anything like that, but let's not kid ourselves that we haven't been poking the bear for 30 years. Disappointing that we haven't been better prepared for it though. Not like 2014 wasn't a clear warning sign.

Posted By: CWC, Sep 21, 15:33:26