Kind of victim blaming though. These small nations, some recently free of communist rule in the 90's, are in no place to defend themselves against an aggressor the size of Russia. Putin creates the problems with policy, threats, and intimidation (military incursions in to ADIZ and maritime borders for example) so they ask for outside help. NATO says sure, Putin blames the West and says Europe is ganging up on Russia
Then he goes and demonstrates exactly why NATO needed to exist when he annexes Crimea and fuels insurgency in Eastern Ukraine thus repeating Stalin type tactics from the 40's and 50's. Don't forget Stalin heavily supported the Chinese and North Koreans in their attempt to retake the Korean Peninsula.
Russia had the opportunity to be a wealthy modern nation with its oil industry and opening up its economy post Iron Curtain. Putin was at the helm and he's ruined that opportunity for all Russian people so he could enrich himself and feed his own ego. He never let go of the Cold War.