Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev (center) negotiated the withdrawal of the Soviet Union from Eastern Europe Image: AP v @DW

06/25/2025June 25, 2025

NATO has allegedly deceived and disrespected Russia by expanding into Eastern Europe, threatening Moscow’s interests. That, at least, is how the Kremlin has justified its war in Ukraine. But is there any truth to it?

NATO leaders have gathered in The Hague in the Netherlands on June 24 and 25 to discuss the topic of increased defense spending, and support for Ukraine will be high on the the agenda.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is now well into its fourth year. As the fighting drags on, the United States has increasingly demanded that its NATO allies shoulder a greater share of the costs of funding the alliance, whose members have been providing significant military and financial support to Kyiv.

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