For those who cast some blame to nato for Russias action, I was reading up on the 2004 Ukraine election (which was before most nato talk) and involved the pro Russia candidate winning in the initial election that as thrown out due to serious issues and then losing to the pro west candidate in the re-do.
The pro west candidate was also poisoned during the campaign. Just interesting to read and consider why these countries have wanted to join NATO.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_U...on?wprov=sfti1
The preferred western candidate who won was also not great... So don't consider him a hero or anything.