And the Russians, in that retarded way that they have, insist on maintaining unfriendly relations with ancient neighbors that “straddle strategically sensitive areas”, issuing routine threats and warnings as their principal interaction with anyone on their borders. Reflexive hostility is the principal Russian response to anything.
Russia cannot seem to see any independent country as anything but a threat. It is self destructive paranoia. It creates hate and fear among other people, for no good reason.
This crippling psychology of the Russian people has been holding the country back for many centuries, in both internal and external affairs.
Agree with everything you say. In fact Russian paranoia regarding her borders has become a cliche. It’s also what makes all this war mongering VERY dangerous.