Erm, perhaps because the democracy that was hoped for effectively turned into a dictatorship - and became a very entrenched one. Not notice that Putin has effectively been in power for over two decades? Such that Russia began to have trust lost in it, especially when it attacked neighbouring countries, and annexed part of one. And expand NATO might be seen as 'choice' for those countries that too didn't trust Russia, after their experiences since long ago when they were under the Soviet thumb. Not remember Hungary and Czechoslovakia trying to escape?You are forgetting what lead to the attack. Why is US and NATO paranoid against Russia?
What was the need to expand NATO, when they knew that it will enrage Russia. Now, US and NATO are sitting pretty, but Ukrainians are facing the problems. Who has the delusion of grandeur, Russia or US?
Delusions of grandeur? I can't see the USA expanding or threatening any neighbours. Perhaps because these countries want to emulate the successes of the USA and similar countries. Not so with Russia. Who wants to emulate them? So perhaps more about jealousy than paranoid fear from the Russian elite.
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