Earlier quoted context omitted.
Can you explain? European (NATO) countries will "provoke" Russia into invading by securing their internationally recognized borders? So far, we have seen the opposite pattern of Russia messing with countries which didn't make it into NATO in time.
There is no good way out of the situation where both sides are armed to the teeth. The best bet is a political failure of one of the sides. If that does not happen, these sabers will be rattling from time to time. If Russia's (and China's) immediate borders are packed with countries armed to their teeth, there would be wars. Buffer states happen for a reason. I believe USA kind of understands this (see how they react…
Look, we tried normalising relations. In the end, Russia just takes what it can. It’s lunacy to believe that everything would be better if European countries just rolled over, accepted being bullied, and just gave Putin what he wants. It’s insane.