magz wrote:
Polish history is a history of being invaded to non-existence and yet we don't behave the way Russia does.
Because you can't. If you ever had such power over your own destiny, you've lost it, much like the UK has. Russia doesn't want to lose what little of that they have left.
magz wrote:
Especially that the very mechanics of NATO is "if you're invaded, we're all with you but if you invade, you're on your own".
The only real "threat" NATO poses to Russia is threat of losing control over other states and being unable to do more of what they're doing right now.
There is precedent for NATO getting involved beyond strict article 5 situations, e.g Kosovo and there was a lot of talk about NATO sticking its tentacles into Syria, where the Russians were involved. The defensive nature of NATO is not an absolute rule, whatever they might say. Having NATO forces parked in Ukraine, right next to Russia means Russia is essentially defeated before a war with NATO even begins, however that might come about.
Russia possesses the biggest nuclear arsenal in the world.
Game, set and match to the skunk.