Shoud we keep the conflict going in your opinion?
That is what has resulted in the evolving statements, and is the result of statements that were said in earnest at the time, but later evolved.
The final result just might see Russia invading far deeper into Europe. Not something that Russia wants to do at this point in time, but keep pushibg the envelope, and they may decide that they have no other option. As was the case with the evolving statements you presented here in this post.
This could have easily been avoided by removing the offer of Ukraine membership into NATO.
You brilliant strategists, still refuse to admit that starting this conflict was a major mistake that could have, and should have, been defused before it got started, but that wasn't the plan from the onset. It was to goad Russia into invading. But the drum march towards making Uraine a NATO member only increased in intensity as the time marched on.
Russia was faced with the decision as the push accelerated for NATO expansion into Ukraine, and decided that he no longer had the opportunity to seek a peaceful resolution, unless they did invade, which is exactly what was wanted, because then they could convince us that Russia invaded Ukraine without provocation. Even that act failed to bring the response they had hoped for all along, sincere talks to bring about a peaceful resolution.
Yes, it is a provocation to defend against a Russian invasion. And by the way, Ukraine was never invited to join NATO.