363 miles from Latvia to Moscow, 280 miles from Ukraine to Moscow. I'm not sure if I would call Latvia "right next to Ukraine", since it doesn't border Ukraine.

Maybe in Europe that feels like a meaningful difference, but to me, 80 miles is nothing. Belarus is the odd one out. Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, all NATO members. Having Ukraine becoming a NATO member would not present a meaningful strategic change, it's 100% just a personal thing.

Not as close to Moscow, no. They're closer to St. Petersburg, though.

And I'm going to judge Putin by his own words. He says he's threatened by NATO on his borders? Then he shouldn't have 70% of his military on the border of Ukraine. It leaves him wide open to an invasion from NATO members Estonia and Latvia.

> And madman though Putin may seem to be, he knows NATO isn't an offensive organization.

I think he may legit see it that way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOkl2XgZlw0

> And madman though Putin may seem to be, he knows NATO isn't an offensive organization

Sure, like the defensive bombing of Libya by NATO.