NATO is there, where else can Russia go?
In 1938, there was no French or British presence on Germany’s Eastern borders. Even with guarantees to Czechoslovakia and Poland, they were useless without their troops being there already.
It’s completely different having NATO positioning troops in Poland and elsewhere along the frontiers of Russia.
Russia keeps finding places to go and there are non-NATO nations left within reach, and I think that 4 years ago Russia thought NATO was fading away and had plans that have been delayed now, Russia didn’t expect this Ukraine resistance, Russia’s shocking discovery of the truth of their military, and this massive renewal and strengthening of NATO.
But, Russia and Rust never sleep.