Yeltsin/Putin seemed to have a legitimate desire to join NATO in the 90s/early 00s. Russia joining NATO would almost completely encircle China and allow the EU and US to station troops on the Chinese border. So it would have been a geopolitical masterstroke.

What is the explanation for why Russia didn't join NATO? Is it because China wasn't seen as a threat back then or is it simply cold war brainworms? Anyone have an explanation or readings on this?

  • Sphere [he/him, they/them]
    ·
    2 years ago

    I think there were actually moves made in that direction during the Clinton years. Presumably when the White House changed hands, the new people at the State Department decided to kill that plan, though I admit I have no knowledge of the details on that shift.

    Edit: In Clinton's own words, they "left the door open" for Russia to join NATO but never actually did anything to make that happen, and Russian officials apparently disagree that this possibility was ever presented as being on the table.

    • HarryLime [any]
      ·
      2 years ago

      Not really, Clinton and Bush were both basically stringing the Russians along.