Frankly, I understand Russia’s position. Historically, Russia is both a paranoid country as well as one that seeks respect. The latter could be that it was never fully accepted in European circles.
I do not know what our issue is with Ukraine—why do we have such a hard on for that country and all the shenigans we have played a part in there...
And for Europe itself to rely on Russian nat gas....
True, because European Nations' main focus since the middle ages has been to Control Russia and use Russian Resources (including the Russian Population) to decide the outcome of the unending European Wars.