see I can understand this logic pre 2014, but post 2014 (i.e. Crimea), absolutely not
the euros paid to putin were used to re-arm and those weapons are now being used in Ukraine
and if he wins then Eastern Europe is next in line
but yes germans saved 2% on their gas bills for 10 years
I doubt Putin is suicidal. Eastern Europe is in NATO, hence protected.
you've seen the playbook in ukraine twice now
there will be an russian speaking minority in estonia/lithuania/... that will that rebel against anti russian oppression, guerilla warfare against the authorities, then they'll hold an rigged referendum, then a decade later the Russian government will formally annex what they've effectively controlled for years
he won't send tanks across the border that will trigger Article 5
So you mean it's OK to oppress people just because they are Russian, or speak Russian? And the bad guys are those against oppression?
Long story short I am not sure NATO Eastern Europe is protected 100%. Luckily for now Putin cannot afford another front but there is already some saber rattling between Belarus and Poland and Wagner is in Belarus.