Russophile tripe. Russia is the sole architect of NATO and its reason for existing. If Russia had taken a more normal, Democratic path, been less belligerent with its neighbors, NATO would have lost its mojo 20 years ago. But by being Russian to the bone, they simply affirmed the NATO mission to ensure the sovereignty of its members because no one can trust Russia. Crimea is not recognized as Russian by most of the world and the referendum was a sham like all Russian-run votes are.