“The West has made repeated plays to bring the former Soviet republics into its fold and the Russians are reacting accordingly.”
That is not the case. The West did not try to bring Ukraine and Georgia into the fold. As has been stated, the West rejected this.
Former nations that have been subjected to Russian dominaton such as Poland and the Baltics have been brought in and rightly so. They know without Nato and US protection they are vulnerable.
Ukraine and Georgia, former Republics of the Soviets/Russians do NOT wish to be absorbed by the Russians, but are being forcibly annexed.
That's not true, and I've already posted the links showing otherwise. You know this.