Isn't Ukraine (not labeled on the map) that large area to the east of that group of nations? So, where's the "gap?"

In international relations, to talk of any major nation as being the 'innocent victim' (in this case Russia) or the 'pure force for good' (as the U.S. always wants to portray itself) is so much balderdash. I do prefer Western values to Putin's worldview--but then that is where was born and have always lived, just like the preferences of this author were determined by his personal geographical circumstances. Really, we all need to stop pretending that international relations is anything other than nations' completely self-serving aims decided by sheer "contests of power" (from Michel Foucault).