Yeah, there is a potential argument from Putin but as I’ve said before he will find an excuse for his actions either way. I just don’t trust a word he says. Ukraine are ultimately asking for assistance to protect their democracy/country and I presume there is only ongoing talk of them joining NATO due to the continuing threat from Russia (especially after Crimea).
Surely the answer is ‘you stop any threatening actions and Ukraine won’t be able to join NATO’ ? If that changes NATO will revisit its position.
Not ideal to reject a democratic nation but if it keeps peace
ps I say all of the above with hardly any knowledge of the situation/Russian history…just basing it on Putin and his historical actions