the West pushed its agenda on Russia through pressure and force."

Brian McDonald
@27khv
Speaking in Moscow earlier today, Putin argued that Russia’s relations with Western Europe did not collapse suddenly, but eroded steadily over decades (my translation):

"We were never truly accepted into that so-called 'family.' Do you see the point? We were never treated as an equal member. Not for a second.

"On the contrary, Russia was constantly being squeezed from all sides. Harder and harder every year. Almost everything concerning Russia was decided from a position of strength.

"They’d pat us on the back, invite us to summits and ceremonies, smile for the cameras. But when it came to real interests, the West pushed its agenda on Russia through pressure and force."