Russian President Vladimir Putin walks through a hall in the building housing Russia’s GRU military intelligence service.Dmitry Astakhov, Sputnik, Government Pool Photo via AP Maggie Smith, United States Military Academy West Point The build up of Russian forces along Belarus’ 665-mile border with Ukraine is a physical manifestation of Russia’s intense interest in the region. Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, and now Russian President Valdimir Putin appears intent on pulling Ukraine under Russia’s influence and denying it a close relationship with the West. But even as Russia engages in brinksman…