have a look at the list of countries that are lining up to join brics (not a military alliance, just yet, but it will certainly turn into one soon enough).
if you knew anything about the history of nato, you would know that us has been meddling in european politics since at least ww2. us meddling in european politics is a major contributing factor to the creation of nato in the first place.
and of course countries ask to join nato. but do they do it willingly? not all of them. when you're faced with a choice of either joining nato or facing some sort of pressure (political or economic) which will most likely result in termination of your rule over a country (whether its a coup or you're voted out) - what would you choose?
the whole hungary-orban against military aid to ukraine was a clear demonstration of how "free choice" in eu really works. "you do what we tell you or else...!!!..."
