Quote Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie
But Russia has received the explanation, it just doesn't accept it.
Exactly! That's the whole point. And (back to my story) given the recent history with Hussein's Weapons of Mass Destruction explanation the further State Department's "explanations" should be taken with a bit of skepticism, wouldn't you agree? So, maybe it's a little bit more from Russian side than just "rhetoric on Russia's part, to get more attention."

Quote Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie
The NATO campaigns you mentioned are indeed controversial, no doubt about that. But you can't say they were not unprovoked.
I agree. Also, I'd say that almost nothing is ever unprovoked. And if Russia ever attacks Georgia, that would be a good enough provocation for NATO to intervene, right? If yes, then no NATO membership for Georgia is necessary.

Quote Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie
However, I don't see why Russia shouldn't join NATO themselves?
Honestly, I have no clue. My guess would be that the rationale for Russia of not joining NATO might somewhat be similar to the rationale for the US of not joining the Russian-Belarussian union. And the rationale is "WHY SHOULD WE DEPEND ON SOMEONE ELSE IF WE CAN DO IT OURSELVES?"