Recently, I learned that Russia feels betrayed that NATO is involved in Ukraine, for Moscow views this is in violation of promises made at the negotiations for the reunification of Germany. Apparently, Feb. 9, 1990, Secretary of State James Baker, under President George H.W. Bush, told Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev that "if we maintain a presence in a Germany that is a part of NATO, there would be no extension of NATO's jurisdiction for forces of NATO 1 inch to the east." In addition, German Foreign Minister Hans Dietrich Genscher also gave assurances to Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primalov ruling out NATO expansion. Even Robert Gates, deputy national security adviser at the time, and former defense secretary under Obama's administration stated, "Soviets were 'led to believe' NATO would not expand eastward."
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