U.S. President Bill Clinton sincerely wanted to bring Russia into the NATO fold. European countries, though, were strictly opposed, particularly Germany. Previously classified documents from the 1990s reveal German Chancellor Helmut Kohl's two-pronged strategy.
To quote former NATO Secretary General George Robertson:
“Putin said: ‘When are you going to invite us to join Nato?’ And I said: ‘Well, we don’t invite people to join Nato, they apply to join Nato.’ And he said: ‘Well, we’re not standing in line with a lot of countries that don’t matter.’”
If a country’s position is that other members don’t matter, the whole idea of mutual defence is out the window
Even before Pooty became president - Baltic states had to fight internal fifth column (also known as pro-Russian parties and lobbies) to set course to NATO.
Russia “willing to join NATO” then is same as them “wanting peace” now - sand in the eyes and “what if they’re dumb enough to agree?”.
To quote former NATO Secretary General George Robertson:
If a country’s position is that other members don’t matter, the whole idea of mutual defence is out the window
Even before Pooty became president - Baltic states had to fight internal fifth column (also known as pro-Russian parties and lobbies) to set course to NATO.
Russia “willing to join NATO” then is same as them “wanting peace” now - sand in the eyes and “what if they’re dumb enough to agree?”.