Yevgeny Kiselyov of Ekho Moskvy radio wonders why the Kremlin is making such a fuss over NATO, and points out that this is creating tensions between many Russian elites (who may enjoy frequent travels to the West) and the government.

Since the country’s presidential elections are over, what purpose would it serve now to continue frightening voters about a fifth column and supposed enemies who have encircled Russia because they do not want to see it get up off its knees? The average Russian actually cares little about NATO expansion. But if you stop him on the street and ask him, “Are you for or against Ukraine joining NATO?” he will probably answer “against.” That is how he has been taught to think. This is not surprising considering that state propaganda has hammered into his head for decades that NATO is an aggressive bloc that once menaced the Soviet Union and now threatens Russia? But if you were to ask him to list his fears and concerns, I would guess that NATO membership for Kiev and Tbilisi would never enter his mind. Instead, he would mention inflation, rampant corruption, abuse of power by the police, a lack of justice, traffic jams and a host of other issues without ever mentioning NATO.