This all is portrayed a little bit too rosy. But more could have been done NOT to alienate the Russians, like including Russia in any economic treaties closed with the former Eastern bloc countries, I'll give you that. Particularly since Hungary and Poland aren't the most ardent supporters of democratic processes and exhibit autocratic tendencies. There is also an element of Russia falling behind compared to the other former communist country, China. The Ukraine invasion feels like a desperate cry to be considered still relevant.