Some of it I knew, but most not, or not in detail.

I have really only one objection, although it is a pretty fundamental one, and I believe we've discussed this before. I'm not too sure whether it's you or Russia itself which seems to keep overlooking that point: there are other countries out there than Russia and the US.

Which is not to say that those other countries are necessarily right about their complaints and grudges against Russia - some that come to mind, and yes I'm looking at you, Kaczynski, are most definitely wrong. And while we're at it, I also think the EU needs to man up and tell the Baltics to accept Russian as a fully equal language and their Russophone citizens as fully equal citizens. As well as Ukraine, though that ship may have sailed.

But still, the basic point remains - Russia's neighbours in Europe and Central Asia aren't just pawns on the chessboard. This is not the 19th century and this is not the Great Game. NATO continuing its expansion isn't because the US is trying to contain Russia, it's because those countries badly want to join NATO. And while I see your point about the unfairness of blaming Russia for all the sins of the USSR, actual Russia (especially before but also after the USSR) has done more than enough to deserve the distrust and fear of its neighbours.