What’s in our security interests takes precedence. If Cuba occupied by our enemies presents such a threat, all effective steps have to be taken. I know that, for example, Trump would do what’s needed. Biden, an ally of Russia in spite of his recent rhetoric, works to leave us vulnerable and wrak.
I’ve heard Putin’s claims with respect to NATO expansion and how they supposedly applied to a promise that George H.W. Bush was supposed to have made to Yeltsin and then breached by Clinton’s war in Bosnia; but yet again this is a false comparison, because every time the USA backed off, Russia expanded their territory in response. Not to mention the missile defense shield that was supposed to be installed in Poland was not a forward offensive installation against Russia but a defense against Iran. This begs the question again (which you left unanswered) as to where this fits in terms of patriotism.
Exactly, and that is the same for every country. But you choose to engage in special pleading when it comes to Russia. We can have our spheres of influence, but we call it something else and then accuse Russia when they try to have their spheres of influence. This idiocy is how we got WW1 and all the rest.