Yes, but when has a NATO country ever militarily invaded Russia, a soviet republic , or a former soviet republic? NATO existed in the past to protect Western democracies from the Soviet Union. After the collapse of the S.U. those little Baltic countries and satellite countries wanted , and it now looks like needed , protection from Russian imperialism.
Russian imperialism is a matter of national pride, it’s in their DNA. That is incompatible with countries that want to be autonomous.
As far as Moldova, you don’t think Putin wouldn’t consider taking it after what he thought would be an easy takeover of Ukraine? Don’t be naïve.
I agree with you,the West miscalculated Putin.
Like I said, had NATO not expanded we’ll never know what Putin would have done militarily. But you can be sure the kremlin would have fomented unrest by Russian nationalists in those former Soviet republics. And then what?
Anyway, we now have a war . It is what it is. No going back by either side.