Yes I think you're right about the irony in expansion of NATO...

Yes I think you're right about the irony in expansion of NATO Putin's achieved when it's earlier expansion was held up by him and many of his rabid supporters and propagandists as a major reason and 'justification' for his invasion last year. A big backfire for Putin. I think he probably fully expected a re run of his 2014 adventures in Crimea and the then and after comparatively very weak international response and reaction.