I'm not saying there isn't reason for those countries to want to joint an alliance against their imperialist neighbor, but honestly it's kinda hard not to see how NATO's influence has been abused for purposes other than defense.

Nato: Invades the entire middle east and fucks it up to steal oil

You: "What a great defensive alliance"

Where those WMD's in Iraq at?

Which happened first? NATO expansion, or Russian invasion?

There’s your answer.