We have been lying to them and shoving them back since the end of the USSR. It is clear they had the best intentions during the entire time. The US-backed overthrow of the legitimate government in Ukraine and the subsequent banning of the Russian language caused the great wake-up call in Russia.

Putin or no Putin, the Russians are done rolling over for this bullshit. If Nato continues on this path, there will be war--a war in which Russia will decisively win unless the USA goes nuclear.