If you've listened to Putin talk about this situation, his complaint hasn't changed in years. He has been asking the West to stop the expansion of NATO to the Russian border for years. It would be one thing if NATO expanded without expanding their defensive perimeters, but they don't. They put missile silos in NATO countries. This is what Putin is talking about. He's asked the question: How would the US feel if I put missiles in Canada or Mexico? They wouldn't like it. And he's saying Russians don't either. The West has abandoned geopolitical centrism in favor of the bully pulpit, because they don't fear repercussions from anyone. There is an arrogance to our policies.

I have listened to Putin speak for hours, and he comes across as a rational, intelligent man. Would I vouch for his moral character? Nope. But I would say that he's had a legitimate, reasonable complaint for most of our actions that affect his nation. Should he be invading Ukraine? No. Absolutely not. Does he have valid accusations against the West, though.... I think he does. The thing is, I can't say for certain who Putin actually is. Putin may be losing it for all I know, but how would I know. I certainly don't trust the media that has constantly lied about everything for the last 12-15 years.

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