The EU may very well have encouraged the take over of Ukraine by pro-EU forces by making promises that meant afterwards Ukraine would have some economic fall back position. I understand that would make Putin nervous I don’t believe that excuses his behavior! It may make it more understandable and it does make u wonder did the EU miscalculate what his reactions would be or do they think so far (other than this very regrettable event) they have managed to contain the damage to be small and acceptable!
I don’t know who is worse; the socialist EU or Putin. I must confess ignorance, but it seems like two sides of the same coin.