Geopolitical strategists wrote a report in 2006 to the pentagon warning of the consequences of expanding NATO towards the Russian border. Subsequent follow up analysis by leading geopolitical advisors from 2014 warned that Russia will invade by 2022 at the latest if the NATO push continued. The 2022 timeframe was significant as the age demographic in Russia meant they simply wouldn’t have enough fighting age men for the job .
Putins a madman etc neo nazis etc are media sidelines. Russia believes its fighting for its sovereign survival. NATO knew the consequences of including nations on the border with Russia. NATO knows they would wipe out the Russian military in conventional warfare, they also know conventional warfare is off the table if they commit forces to Ukraine.
