We have to remember that the people of countries like Russia that have been invaded on more than one occasion, especially where it is in living memory, are likely to have a somewhat different outlook and way of thinking than those of countries that haven't suffered a simlar fate.

There is good reason for such countries to want buffer states between them and any possible enemy.

Just look at Afghanistan where Russia and Britain struggled to exert influence purely because of it's position bordering India, the 'Great Game' and all that.

Plus the history of Europe is littered with disputes where one state has a significant number of ethnic people in one area with the culture of a neighbouring state.