There are sites that quote Gorbachev years later saying their was no such agreement, formal or informal.
I found this to justify my position that NATO and America did make these promises. These comments are based on declassified documents. You are all free do decide for yourselves who said what, to whom, and when, and if it should be binding.
https://larouchepub.com/other/2021/4824-chatham_house_lies_about_aggre.htmlOld records and files have been declassified. From that site I find these quotes of interest.
"Lough claimed that U.S. Secretary of State James Baker promised Gorbachev in July 1990 that NATO would not expand eastwards past Germany,"
"with 30 declassified documents showing that, indeed, NATO expansion was discussed from the earliest moment that German reunification became a distinct possibility. Moreover, Gorbachev was assured then that NATO would not expand eastwards—not only by Secretary of State Baker, but by European officials as well."
"Genscher specified that a reunified Germany would remain part of the Western alliance: But at the same time, the unification process “must not lead to an ‘impairment of Soviet security interests’.” Therefore, Genscher continued, “NATO should rule out an ‘expansion of its territory towards the east; i.e., moving it closer to Soviet borders’.”
"Baker frankly admitted to Gorbachev that NATO is the mechanism for maintaining the U.S. military presence in Europe:" "If you abolish NATO, there will be no more U.S. presence. We understand the need for assurances to the countries in the East. If we maintain a presence in Germany that is a part of NATO, there would be no extension of NATO’s jurisdiction for forces of NATO one inch to the east."
"Would you prefer a united Germany outside of NATO that is independent and has no U.S. forces, or would you prefer a united Germany with ties to NATO and assurances that there would be no extension of NATO’s current jurisdiction eastward?"
Gorbachev responded: "[W]e will think everything over. We intend to discuss all these questions in depth at the leadership level. It goes without saying that a broadening of the NATO zone is not acceptable."
Soviet account stated, Baker affirmed: "We agree with that."
"NATO’s first Secretary General, Lord Ismay, is reported to have said that the purpose of NATO was “to keep the Russians out, the Americans in, and the Germans down.” More than 70 years later, the Chatham House report clearly indicates that the British intend to make sure that this remains the Alliance’s purpose."
Apparently they also want to keep Russia down and contained. These kinds or reports have led to a lot of my opinions. I would hope you all would keep this information in mind when making your opinions of Russia's stance in Ukraine and in protecting a buffer zone around Russia protecting it from NATO expansion. At least you now have more information.
Logically Right