Forgive me Finland, but this is sheer scaremongering. Finland's status in no way corresponds to that of any of the former Soviet republics and/or satellites. That's just nonsense. Finland is a NATO member, EU member, has nothing to do with the former Eastern bloc, etc etc. It's just hyping up of paranoia, possibly for domestic consumption.

And yes, principles do matter, at least as far as being the beacon of freedom and democracy in the world is concerned. Otherwise you're nothing more but another regular geopolitical player (royal You). If the US really wants to be a leader in the world, they better be ready to offer an example that's worth emulating, or else they're no better than Putin's Russia flexing its muscle and waving its dick in the face of the minor nations.

Call it a conservative view on things if you like - and one that you, being such a true conservative, might've liked embracing.