“They would tell you the buildup of the Western forces around the Ukraine forced their hand.”
Not only was Ukraine not a member of NATO but it hadn’t even applied for membership.
Additionally, there was NO “Western buildup.” The only redeployment of NATO troops before the Russian invasion was on February 5 when the first of 2,000 U.S. soldiers to Europe arrived in GERMANY and POLAND.
You’d be wrong.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/nato-sends-ships-jets-eastern-europe-ukraine-crisis-2022-01-24/
>>Not only was Ukraine not a member of NATO but it hadn’t even applied for membership.
In 2008 NATO made clear its commitment for UKR to become a member. Putin made it clear that this would lead to war. NATO ignored any other security agreements (e.g., a non-aligned UKR)
NATO wanted this war. Why not? A good chance to knock Putin/Russia down a peg. No NATO troops at risk — just UKR and Russian. A great investment!
“NATO welcomes Ukraine’s and Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations for membership in NATO. We agreed today that these countries will become members of NATO. Both nations have made valuable contributions to Alliance operations. We welcome the democratic reforms in Ukraine and Georgia and look forward to free and fair parliamentary elections in Georgia in May. MAP is the next step for Ukraine and Georgia on their direct way to membership. Today we make clear that we support these countries’ applications for MAP.”
Section 23. NATO Bucharest Summit Declaration 2008
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/official_texts_8443.htm