Where I'm from it was always in the cards, the only question was who and and when. Russia already invaded Ukraine and Georgia in the last few decades. Russia without expansionism is like Germans without ordnung, it's essential to their existence.
Expansionism ? There are many people who compare Russia's problem (with NATO misssiles on its border) to the U.S. Cuban Missile Crisis, 60 years ago. President Kennedy decided that Russian Nuclear could not be stationed 90 miles from the U.S. coast. Same as Putin is complaining (with U.N. Forces). Nobody called out the U.S. for being "Expansionist" Young people need to read up on it. I can see the parallels. I think any open-minded person can.
EU has the same sanctions. Most European countries are members of NATO and most Europeans are thankful for the US contribution to NATO and the US sanctions.
Well, maybe the population is aligned with the political leaders of their countries as poorly as American citiizens are aligned with our political leaders. (Which is like - not at all.) This is how democracies die. What's the approval rating for Joe Biden, or the average Wash Pol?
You're speculating too much. It doesn't seem to me that you spend much time in Europe. The last poll I read was ~80% of Europeans support sanctions against Russia. This is also in line with the conversations I have with Europeans.
Oh that's because poor EU was doing the bidding of the evil evil USA. Without the USA's involvement, EU was perfectly fine with Russia invading Ukraine, an independent democratic country and threatening the peace of the entire Europe. @earth_imperator and @countryBoy641 idiots are trying to drive a wedge between US and its allies with their puny Chinese propaganda trolling thinking this will somehow defeat the USA and achieve the world domination goal of the CCP. LOL Hey @earth_imperator, figured out how to trade vega-neutral options strategies yet? LOL