NATO members have been directly bordering Russia through Estonia and Latvia for literally 18 years at this point with no harm or even the threat of harm to Russ

NATO members have been directly bordering Russia through Estonia and Latvia for literally 18 years at this point with no harm or even the threat of harm to Russia. NATO members, as stable democracies, have zero interest in going into war with a nuclear power like Russia. Even now at the peak of tensions, every NATO member has repeatedly publicly pledged that no NATO troops will be involved in conflict. The idea that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is Russia acting to protect itself is the height of silliness. The better explanation for this war is much simpler: Putin has traditionally received a bump in approval ratings after his prior wars and was desperate for another boost after a long and harsh two years dealing with COVID-19.