Russia has never been placed in charge of what countries can join NATO or any other national defense decisions they choose to make as free nations.
Putin in 2002. https://x.com/NatalkaKyiv/status/1844559042691334237
‘Ukraine is a sovereign state and has the right to choose the path to ensure its own security.
I don’t see anything unusual here in principle.
Or something that would spoil the relations between…
Or could possibly spoil relations between Russia and Ukraine.’
- Vladimir Putin at NATO Summit Meeting in Rome, Italy (May 28, 2002)”
Russia is a sovereign nation. It has the right to protect itself. What gave the US the right to invade Vietnam, or demand the USSR remove nuclear weapons from Cuba? Are you unaware that nations can go to war to defend themselves against hostile forces. NATO is clearly a hostile force. Russia is acting perfectly in its own self interest.