[dfwgator]

It forever ruined any chances of Russia joining the West. The hardliners had their proof that the West was not to be trusted, and it ultimately led to the rise of Putin.

[Ravnagora]

I wonder if that 1999 bombing campaign would have ever been initiated if Putin had been in power in Russia at that time and not Yeltsin.

________________________

[Darksheare]

Yup.
The thing that stopped that from degenerating further: British officer Sir Mike Jackson told then SACEUR Clark to basically pound sand.

[Hugin]

It forever ruined any chances of Russia joining the West. The hardliners had their proof that the West was not to be trusted, and it ultimately led to the rise of Putin.

True. It also ruined any moral credibility to talk about the sovereignty of national borders, something that has not been forgotten elsewhere, even if it has here.