Subject: Re: War, currencies and jurisdictions
Russia apparently thinks that that promise was made or implied. We know that much of Diplomatic Language is couched in implication and innuendo rather than direct statements. Doesn't really matter either way, Russia is acting as if that promise was made.

Sometimes the simplest explanation is best. From literally the start of his reign Putin has said the breakup of the Soviet Union was illegitimate and those territories are "historic Russia" and losing them was an "the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century." He views Ukraine as "lost Russian lands" and stated Ukraine has no right to exist as a state. He's been saying these things for decades. And indeed, Putin started invading his neighbors from basically day one of his presidency. In words and in actions, Putin believes his mission is to reconstitute the Russian Empire. He's even compared himself to Peter the Great.

You are correct in the sense Putin believes Ukraine should be in his sphere of influence and wants no meddling from the West. But it is incomplete to suggest he invaded because of interference from the West. He invaded because in his view Ukraine is legitimately part of Russia and he wants to reconstitute the Russian Empire. Importantly, the Ukrainians (most of them) don't see themselves as Russians. That's one thing that gets lost in this.