As a sometime contrarian and history hobbyist I make a few points:
Russia does not have a monopoly on imperial ambitions.
Point to many nations throughout history and you may see expansionism (euphemism for imperialism).
Russian history certainly supports this. Go back to Ivan III. Go back to Catharine. These figures are no doubt Putin's inspiration. He wonders, why not imperial Russia again? Why not Russia instead of the West? The tension between Russia and the West is not new. Not just the West. Go back to the Russo-Japanese War.
NATO did not create a territorially ambitious Russia. Does NATO expansion poke the bear? Maybe. But the bear has been hungry for a long time. As have other nations in the world.
How will this sort out? Right now, Russia is guilty of the atrocious human rights abuses. Genocide. War Crimes. That is all I know. This must stop. No history, no perceived wrong warrants Russia's current actions. Anyone who justifies these actions is morally bereft.