Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on March 16 that the United States and Israel had misjudged the prospects of a swift military operation in Iran, arguing that Washington and Jerusalem now understand they were "mistaken."
The fact that Ukraine was starting to get into NATO effectively meant more Western influence near Russia. Also, any plans of Russian expansion would be dead because Ukraine would be a NATO country. So I think what he meant by “choking Russia” is disallowing them to take over Ukraine.
The fact that Ukraine was starting to get into NATO effectively meant more Western influence near Russia. Also, any plans of Russian expansion would be dead because Ukraine would be a NATO country. So I think what he meant by “choking Russia” is disallowing them to take over Ukraine.