Part 3/10:
For instance, NATO's expansion, largely supported by the U.S., is cited as a fundamental source of tension that must be managed if there is any hope for a lasting peace. The lack of understanding on the part of U.S. leaders — exemplified by statements regarding Ukraine as merely a "prize" for Putin — underscores a disconnect between the perceptions of U.S. officials and the seriousness with which Russia approaches the conflict.