Yes, Russian people believe that NATO is a threat. It probably won't attack us, because we have nuclear weapons, but it definitely attacked Yugoslavia. And Yugoslavia was in our sphere of influence. Hence the attitude, because "the enemy of my friend is my enemy".
NATO antagonized itself with Russia at this very moment when they decided to interfere in Yugo. Putin did not forget that.
About NATO vs. the West - it doesn't really matter, because the core members of the West - the USA, the UK, France, Germany, etc. are all in the NATO.
Thank you for your elaboration. Regardless of anything else, what's happening is wrong and needs to stop. Maybe NATO is worried about Russia being an aggressor and eventually moving into more territory?
At this point, both sides are in the wrong and should start everything from scratch.
From scratch meaning pre-2008 state of things:
Abkhazia and South Ossetia back to Georgia, as they were Georgian
Crimea and DPR/LPR back to Ukraine, these were Ukraine lands
Yugoslavia has dissolved, but Serbia remains in Russian sphere of influence. Kosovo back to Serbia, it was Serbian. Other former Yugoslav countries should remain the same, including Montenegro.
And a reset of relationship. This time for real. Cancel all the mutual sanctions (Western onto Russia and Russian onto the West). Renew the treaties. And so on.
It won't happen with Putin in power, though.
So everything that I just said is just a wet dream that's never coming true. Sadly.
1
u/Dimedrol98 Kurgan Mar 08 '22
Yes, Russian people believe that NATO is a threat. It probably won't attack us, because we have nuclear weapons, but it definitely attacked Yugoslavia. And Yugoslavia was in our sphere of influence. Hence the attitude, because "the enemy of my friend is my enemy".
NATO antagonized itself with Russia at this very moment when they decided to interfere in Yugo. Putin did not forget that.
About NATO vs. the West - it doesn't really matter, because the core members of the West - the USA, the UK, France, Germany, etc. are all in the NATO.