

Yes, I think western military power DOES play a major role in Russia’s geopolitical/imperialistic strategy. The EU alone has more expenses for military then Russia annually.
I do think Russia wants to
hav[e] back as much ex-soviet territories as possible and to enlarge its political influence sphere.
That’s exactly my point. If western influence grows, Russia pushes back, no matter if ethical or not.
That’s a core part of the conflict not a narrative superimposed on russia by people defending Putin.

No, I stand firmly with all nations aggressively atacked. Russia is an imperialistic state clearly at fault here taking land, oppressing people and taking lives.
My point is that the meme makes it seem like NATO expansion is a narrative that’s being superimposed to the little girl Russia, who does genocide for the fun of it by someone else.
This is not the case
Its a narrative they themself push since Gorbachev. Putin doesn’t wake up and decides to convert his whole economy to war economics and invading countries for the fun of it. Its a geopolitical/imperialistic struggle for power with the west with a long history.