Well, as a citizen of one of the former buffer states, I really don't think there's a single bit of reason in that demand. I have the context and perception of living under Russian rule. Russians don't just have buffer states - they plunder them. Tens of millions of people in Ukraine have done nothing to deserve this fate and now that I'm also considered "the West" I won't let them fall into it if I can help it.

Every single nation that ever had something to do with them and was fortunate enough to leave their sphere of influence is trying its hardest to join NATO, isn't that a little telling? Perhaps Russia is not only looking for buffer, but wants more?