The U.S is an Empire, not in the traditional sense, but we are a trading empire, much like the British Empire but one based on capitalism and the willing free flowing exchange of goods vs. one based on Mercantilism.
No, it's based on bribery and coercion through military occupation. Ain't nothing "free" about it except the funny money the Federal Reserve prints.
You're not completely wrong. Fear of Russian had a lot to do with it. We were on the way out of European affairs, reducing our military presence etc., until Russia stirred things up again pushing even more nations toward NATO.
And Russia was going to leave Ukraine alone until the United States fomented a couple coups in the Ukraine.
