[Cheese]

Originally Posted by Pointman

Because not accepting new members from the east was a condition of unification of Germany. As written in Spiegel article linked above. Putin has no right to tell Ukraine what to do - and he doesn't. He does, however, every right to demand NATO to honour that agreement.

and Russia needs to follow the Minsk agreements.

• Immediate, comprehensive ceasefire.
• Withdrawal of heavy weapons by both sides.
• OSCE monitoring.
• Dialogue on interim self-government for Donetsk and Luhansk, in accordance with Ukrainian law, and acknowledgement of special status by parliament.
• Pardon, amnesty for fighters.
• Exchange of hostages, prisoners.
• Humanitarian assistance.
• Resumption of socioeconomic ties, including pensions.
• Ukraine to restore control of state border.
• Withdrawal of foreign armed formations, military equipment, mercenaries.
• Constitutional reform in Ukraine including decentralisation, with specific mention of Donetsk and Luhansk.
• Elections in Donetsk and Luhansk.
• Intensify Trilateral Contact Group’s work including representatives of Russia, Ukraine and OSCE.