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.