I know many have a hard time with looking at history to understand how we got to where we are today. Especially if it doesn't help their arguments. Looking at the world as a set of good guys vs. bad guys is naive.
This article outlines how NATO made and broke promises over the last 30 years. Do not mistake this for excusing reactions to these broken promises. There is not excuse. It is simply part of the story that isn't really expressed. In time it will be. Just as we all know how the US made and broke promises to the Native Americans over and over again. Just as we know that Hitler made and broke promises over and over again.
The world saw that Hitler could not be trusted. Sitting Bull saw that the US government could not be trusted and I hope one day we will all see that governments in general cannot be trusted. All promises made are only as good as the political whims of the person in power.
History isn't only about dates and events. Its about understanding multiple perspectives of what happened to get a better picture. If you first seek to understand instead of pick sides the picture becomes more clear.
On February 9, 1990, US Secretary of State James Baker famously offered Gorbachev a choice: either a united but independent Germany outside of NATO or a united Germany connected to NATO “but with the guarantee that NATO’s jurisdiction or troops will not spread east of the present boundary.” Baker later disavowed these words, saying it was merely a hypothetical question, but declassified documents refute Baker by adding his next statement. After Gorbachev replied, “It goes without saying that a broadening of the NATO zone is not acceptable,” Baker responded, “We agree with that.”