George Kennan in 1998:

"I think it is the beginning of a new cold war. I think the Russians will gradually react quite adversely and it will affect their policies.

I think it is a tragic mistake. There was no reason for this whatsoever.

No one was threatening anybody else. This expansion would make the Founding Fathers of this country turn over in their graves.

Of course there is going to be a bad reaction from Russia, and then (the NATO expanders) will say that we always told you that is how the Russians are — but this is just wrong.

This has been my life, and it pains me to see it so screwed up in the end."

https://nostrcheck.me/media/public/nostrcheck.me_2915297076012575911691054071.webp