qwerty: Putin is a member of Pamyat (“Memory”), an ultranationalist movement that is intent on restoring Russia to her former glory.

This is absolutely Russia flexing her muscles and Putin has made it obvious that he doesn’t fear the US or NATO. This situation was tailor made for him and he is exploiting it to the utmost.

Forget Cold War rhetoric. Even when they were Communist, the Russians were the Russians, and fixated on a return to empire. This is a country steeped in culture and history, and also one with a long memory.