In the period of 1945-1990 Austria was definitely not "out of reach" - Soviet troops were both in Hungary and Czechoslovakia at the time. As a land power not protected by two vast oceans, it is paramount for security of Russia to have some buffer or perimeter around its core towards the usual direction of invasions - which is from the we…
In the period of 1945-1990 Austria was definitely not "out of reach" - Soviet troops were both in Hungary and Czechoslovakia at the time. As a land power not protected by two vast oceans, it is paramount for security of Russia to have some buffer or perimeter around its core towards the usual direction of invasions - which is from the west, or south-west. This geostrategic need is the same regardless of who is in charge in Russia, a Czar, a Dictator, or a President. To achieve this goal, it is sufficient that the countries bordering Russia are just not overtly hostile and not hosting foreign troops or bases. Neutrality is respected, and gives benefits, such as Soviet troops leaving Austria, or leaving bases in the Baltic and giving them back to Finland.
In the period of 1945-1990 Austria was definitely not "out of reach" - Soviet troops were both in Hungary and Czechoslovakia at the time. As a land power not protected by two vast oceans, it is paramount for security of Russia to have some buffer or perimeter around its core towards the usual direction of invasions - which is from the west, or south-west. This geostrategic need is the same regardless of who is in charge in Russia, a Czar, a Dictator, or a President. To achieve this goal, it is sufficient that the countries bordering Russia are just not overtly hostile and not hosting foreign troops or bases. Neutrality is respected, and gives benefits, such as Soviet troops leaving Austria, or leaving bases in the Baltic and giving them back to Finland.