I have multiple work colleagues in Slovakia, a stones throw away from me, who are very definitely against NATO bases expanding into eastern/central Europe.

I suggest you ask your relatives how they feel about NATO encroaching further and further towards Russias' borders, and what do they think about the recent NATO exercise that flew armed nuclear missiles within 20km's of Russias borders. If the tables were turned, Americans would be having kittens - but somehow, Russians are supposed to take these threats lightly?