There is a far larger background here and it has to do with resources. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Nuland https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Nul

There is a far larger background here and it has to do with resources. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Nuland https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Nuland Take a note the date of the leaked phone conversation. Still, if it is perceived that the US is active in a European country right on the border of Russia, you have to think about the possibility that it might be seen as a threat. edit: Not saying the reaction is justified, just saying that it wasn't some random expansionist impulse.