NATO forces are the more immediate shield. A non-imperialist Russia would not feel threatened. (Indeed, Russia should redemocratize, renounce imperialism, and then apply for NATO & EU membership.)

ICBMs & nuclear subs obviate the need for Russia to place nukes in Cuba. I doubt the Cubans would allow it, as it would probably hurt tourism.

Since I mentioned neither Pompeo nor Bush the Elder in my essay, I did not see fit to identify them as ex-CIA. However, I probably should have explicitly identified Trump as a KGB asset.