"And Ukraine wants to be a part of Europe, not the vassal state of a despot"
After the fascist led coup of 2014, financed by the US, overthrew the elected Russian leaning government of Yanukovych, Ukraine became a vassal state of the US/NATO. . The population of every country on earth wants to live in freedom, peace and democracy. That won't be found under US/NATO or Russia. The elections in Ukraine ! , the opposition was suppressed via intimidation, violence, and imprisonment. They had to actually flee the country.
"while implying NATO is some sinister entity."
I say "US/NATO" because the US completely dominates NATO. In fact NATO is the instrument through which the US expresses it's militarist, imperialist agenda, dominates its rival Germany and temporarily unites 30 nations it it's quest to destroy Russia then China.
If what you claim about NATO is true, then you must sincerely believe that NATO did not bomb Serbia or Libya, did not participate in the war against Afghanistan and Iraq, did not move military assets right up to the border with Russia. I don't know, maybe you think bombing Serbia and Libya, or the wars against Afghanistan and Iraq are just crazy conspiracy theories and NATO just spreads fairy dust over the grateful populations of the world.
