WikiLeaks "broke" them: They published a bunch of cables about Ukraine; They knew it all PHOTO

Citing the multitude of documents it obtained and published on its pages, WikiLeaks detailed, and even documented, how Washington sought ways to overcome some countries' opposition to the idea despite warnings from Western envoys.

Moscow has repeatedly warned diplomats that Ukraine's accession to the US-led bloc could spark civil war or destabilize the entire region, forcing Russia to make a decision it "doesn't want to face," according to a 24-minute video released by WikiLeaks on the X social network.

The organization, founded by Julian Assange, also cited a February 2008 cable from then-US ambassador to Moscow William Burns, who warned that Russia sees NATO expansion as a security threat.

"Not only does Russia perceive that it is being surrounded and that efforts are being made to undermine Russian influence in the region, but it also fears unpredictable and uncontrollable consequences that would seriously threaten Russian security interests," Burns said.

He then continued: "Experts tell us that Russia is particularly concerned that there are strong divisions within Ukraine itself over NATO membership, in large part due to the ethnic-Russian community, which could lead to a major schism, involving violence or, in the worst case, civil war. In that case, Russia would have to decide whether to intervene, a decision Russia does not want to face."

As other published documents suggest, that opinion of Russia was shared by some NATO allies in Europe at the time.

A 2005 cable documenting a meeting between then-US assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs Daniel Fried and several senior French officials said Paris was concerned about Ukraine's path to NATO, which could spark an armed conflict on the continent.

"If there is one potential cause of war in Europe left, it would be Ukraine," the document said, citing French President's diplomatic adviser, Maurice Gourdault-Montagne.

He warned that the US and its allies are invading "a key interest zone - Russia, which could cause a strong response."

Fried then acknowledged that Ukraine lacks a national consensus on NATO membership, but dismissed concerns about violent internal divisions or a backlash from Moscow.

Despite repeated warnings, Washington remained committed to Ukraine's entry and intended to "deliberately but quietly pursue Western integration and NATO expansion" while "strongly" disagreeing with Russia, according to a September 2009 cable from then-US ambassador to Moscow John Brierley.

Russia Today Balkan, the Russian portal that transmitted parts of these cables, recalls that Russia cited Ukraine's aspiration to join NATO and the prospect of the bloc's military infrastructure appearing in a neighboring country as one of the main reasons for the start of the war in Ukraine, which has already entered its fourth year today.

Moscow has also repeatedly described that war as a "proxy war" against Russia, which the West is waging through Ukraine.