If we were neighbours, you would not believe my words that I meant you no harm if I piled up my armaments along the fence line and had it pointed to your house.
However, you want the Russians to believe our assurances that we mean no harm when we are doing that to them.
Please, when were NATO weapons "piled" at Russia's border? Russia ALWAYS had more troops and tanks "piled" on its side.
Most European countries were not spending the required 2% for NATO.
Most US troops and tanks were stationed in Germany, which is not the Russian border.