Secret Documents from the 1990s: How Close Was Russia to NATO Membership?

US President Bill Clinton sincerely wanted to bring Russia into the NATO fold.

European countries, though, were strictly opposed, particularly Germany.

Previously classified documents from the 1990s reveal German Chancellor Helmut Kohl's two-pronged strategy.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20250827-secret-documents-from-the-1990s-how-close-was-russia-to-nato-membership?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Russia #NATO #ColdWar #Europe #Germany #BillClinton #HelmutKohl #BorisYeltsin #History #Longread

[17:37] Even after 25 years in power, war is still all Putin can offer Russia

When Boris Yeltsin suddenly resigned as Russia’s first post-Communist president on New Year’s Eve, 1999, his country seemed to be spiralling downhill into economic and political disintegration.

https://www.independent.ie/world-news/even-after-25-years-in-power-war-is-still-all-putin-can-offer-russia/a417791077.html

#BorisYeltsin #Russia #first #post_Communist #NewYear’sEve,1999

[01:01] Reynolds told that Yeltsin 'might be worse for wear'

Various excuses were offered for Russian president Boris Yeltsin's no-show at Shannon Airport in 1994, he was "indisposed", he was resting after a tiring flight and his bodyguards were too frightened to wake him. But, it was generally accepted that he was drunk.

https://www.rte.ie/news/2024/1227/1487070-state-papers-boris-yeltsin/

#Russian #BorisYeltsin's #ShannonAirport #1994