>>I've been away for a couple of weeks . Whats the Russian leadership thing ?
>>
>>This all comes back to spheres of influence.
>>
>>The Russians don't want the US involved on states on their borders any more than the US would like Russian bases in Cuba.
>
>I agree, but it's not a question of US involvement any longer, but of western involvement. I think if the EU were involved, and not the US, it would be just as threatening to Russia if not more. Afterall, Russia and the U.S. had a successful understanding for years, but that history doesn't really exist between the EU and Russia.

I agree I can't think that the Russians would be happy for say Germany to be involved. They've got too much history.