Crazy or not, there is no other viable explanation for expanding eastward and posing a threat to Russia.
Russia could have been contained by pulling back, with a promise of eastward expansion if they did not hold themselves in check. Did we try that option?
No, we just expanded eastward and damn the Russians.
We provoked this situation. We caused it because our leaders had dreams of owning $75 trillion in mineral wealth dancing in their heads.
You're completely discounting the threat Russia is to ITS neighbors as a possible reason for NATO expansion.
Finland is a perfect example. 20% of Finland was seized by the Russians in WW2 with Finland forced to sign a neutrality agreement.
As the leader of Finland would you continue to rely on those agreements after Putin shredded all his agreements with Ukraine to honor its borders or would you quickly join NATO?