You are clearly not aware of what the Russians say to themselves. Russia is driven by an expansionist nationalist ideology that sees Russia as natural empire at constant war with the Atlantic maritime powers. This is not my paranoia. It is what is taught in their military academies and constantly pushed on state TV. It is because of this that the eastern European nations sought the protection of NATO membership. NATO expansion was not driven by secret western cabals. And again, Ukraine was not on the verge of joining NATO so the Russian justification is bogus.
“It is what is taught in their military academies and constantly pushed on state TV.
And fully supported by the ex-KGB agent in power.