It never was, outside USA/NATO propaganda. I have been saying that since 2022.

And I say that being someone who thinks that Putin is a crooked psychopath who should not be trusted. But also not the USA state or China and others. But I can be objective enough. Like American news say that North Korea is a serious threat and they have what? 2 or 3 dozen nukes at most and Russia has over 1000+ and they are joke? Nothing to worry there?

All that was needed was to be realistic and a honest look at the assests in question nd on the board. So many Ukranians died for what was essentially an USA proxy war as a way to weaken Russia. They got used just for USA interests, just like the USA and Taiwan and Russia and Trasnistria.

In the end, no super power likes to have another super power's ally that will be used for military bases at their border. Imagine if Mexico suddenly startedto get hyper chummy with Russia. Would they care, or maybe Cuba... Again.