well there may be some truth in that .....but I know many for sure joined from fear and for security ....off the top of my head , Poland , Finland and Sweden + the three tiny Baltic states (fear) ....defintiely security for those
but you creep on another truth here ...."Russia cannot afford to chuck endless amounts of money into broke countries." So much of the rebuilding after war in Europe , particularly in Germany and Japan WAS US funded and they could afford . It's more than just military might that makes a great power .
You seem to expect russia has a right to meddle in neioghbours affairs ....the kindest way of phrasing that would be a "sphere of influence" ....but I think that is far too gentle for what putin has in mind . But the reality is .....as you pointed out ....russia can't afford that , they aren't a great country like the US , China , Japan , even Germany or the EU they are a middle sized country with delusions of grandeur .
