Before 2014 Russia was already controlling Ukraine, so is was already "invaded" by Russia.
In 2014 Putin already decided to take Ukraine back after the Maidan revolt. Yanukovych was a puppet from Putin and was installed as president because the other candidate that as pro EU was poisoned (by the Russians). First Putin took Crimea.
So EU membership or NATO membership could sabotage the plans from Putin to really take over Ukraine. So what triggered Putin was the fact that he was going to lose the possibility to take Ukraine back. So it had nothing to do with NATO. He now quickly invaded Ukraine before they could join EU or NATO.
On top of that each country is free to make deals with other countries as they wish. It is not Russia who can decide what other countries can do or not. Russia never asked any other country if they agreed with what Russia does. Why should other countries then ask Russia?
Russia is the agressor:
In 2014 Putin already decided to take Ukraine back after the Maidan revolt. Yanukovych was a puppet from Putin and was installed as president because the other candidate that as pro EU was poisoned (by the Russians). First Putin took Crimea.
So EU membership or NATO membership could sabotage the plans from Putin to really take over Ukraine. So what triggered Putin was the fact that he was going to lose the possibility to take Ukraine back. So it had nothing to do with NATO. He now quickly invaded Ukraine before they could join EU or NATO.
On top of that each country is free to make deals with other countries as they wish. It is not Russia who can decide what other countries can do or not. Russia never asked any other country if they agreed with what Russia does. Why should other countries then ask Russia?
Russia is the agressor:
- flying with nuclear bombers without transponder close to the EU borders.
- cyberattack/terror against Western countries and companies.
- etc...
