--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Russians have intensely disliked but…" description: "\"The Russians have intensely disliked but tolerated substantial NATO expansion, including the accession of Poland and the Baltic countries. But when NAT..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f90/john-mearsheimer-3817_expansion_the-russians-have-intensely-disliked-but_1933279.jpg" --- # The Russians have intensely disliked but tolerated… ![“The Russians have intensely disliked but tolerated substantial NATO expansion, including the accession of Poland and the Baltic countries. But when NATO announced in 2008 that Georgia and Ukraine 'will become members of NATO,' Russia drew a line in the sand.” quote by John Mearsheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f90/john-mearsheimer-3817_expansion_the-russians-have-intensely-disliked-but_1933279.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f90/john-mearsheimer-3817_expansion_the-russians-have-intensely-disliked-but_1933279.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f90/john-mearsheimer-3817_expansion_the-russians-have-intensely-disliked-but_1933279.jpg) > “The Russians have intensely disliked but tolerated substantial NATO expansion, including the accession of Poland and the Baltic countries. But when NATO announced in 2008 that Georgia and Ukraine 'will become members of NATO,' Russia drew a line in the sand.” [John Mearsheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mearsheimer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Russia tolerates NATO growth but sees Ukraine/Georgia membership as a red line, prompting strong opposition. **In simple terms:** Russia accepts NATO but opposes Ukraine/Georgia joining. Key Takeaway Recognize geopolitical red lines. Themes geopolitics security alliances Mood cautious strategic Type political analytical When to use this quote - policy analysis - diplomacy - military strategy - regional stability Key Concepts realism balance of power Questions to Reflect On - What are the risks of NATO expansion? - How should the balance respond to red lines? A Different Perspective Russia’s perspective may be overstated; other factors influence decisions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Poland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poland/) [Russia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/russia/) ## Related quotes > [NATO expansion, E.U. expansion, and turning Ukraine and Georgia and other countries into liberal democracies were all about creating a giant zone of peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mearsheimer/nato-expansion-e-u-expansion-and-turning-ukraine-and-georgia-and/) [John Mearsheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mearsheimer/) > [I'm a realist, and I thought from the get-go that NATO expansion was going to lead to one heck of a lot of trouble.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mearsheimer/i-m-a-realist-and-i-thought-from-the-get-go-that-nato-expansion-was/) [John Mearsheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mearsheimer/) > [In the eyes of Russian leaders, E.U. expansion is a stalking horse for NATO expansion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mearsheimer/in-the-eyes-of-russian-leaders-e-u-expansion-is-a-stalking-horse-for/) [John Mearsheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mearsheimer/) > [I believe the Obama administration was asleep at the switch, not paying attention to what NATO and E.U. expansion - and promoting democracy in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mearsheimer/i-believe-the-obama-administration-was-asleep-at-the-switch-not/) [John Mearsheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mearsheimer/) > [I think if NATO haven't expanded, we would have a no-man's zone between the E.U. and NATO and Russia, and that would be very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zbigniew-brzezinski/i-think-if-nato-haven-t-expanded-we-would-have-a-no-man-s-zone/) [Zbigniew Brzezinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zbigniew-brzezinski/) > [I think there is a good deal of promise in those discussions as well. 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