[pierrem15]

To argue that we "provoked" Russia means you simply agree that Ukraine somehow "belongs" to Russia. Apart from Russian force, there's no argument supporting that position. In terms of length of control, most of Ukraine was under control by Poland-Lithuania at least as long or longer than by Russia. That's why the Ukrainians are not Russians. And Vlad has performed the alchemical magic of transforming millions of Russian speakers into Ukrainians.

Russia has always been a looting empire: it's elites feast on the countries they conquer and its cretinous inhabitants feel better about their own wretched condition as long as they get to brutalize their neighbors.

It's been that way for 500 years. Russia is simply returning to its mean.

As far as the US goes the position of the US has been to oppose great powers ingesting their neighbors since WWII because such "sphere of influence" games led to two world wars. Men were hanged at Nuremberg for pursuing aggressive war as Putin has done.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

You and FJB. Peas in a pod.