We'll never know what would've happened in case the western world would've never kinda opened the doors for Ukraine to become part of EU, and/or NATO. In my country the respected deep research journalists basically say over and over again: Ukraine would never have become part of EU and/or NATO. Having the doors a little opened is because of politics. They may be right, I donno to be honest. What we do know, is that Ireland is stating just today they want that door to be opened more. if thats good? I dont know. Even if we would've had those doors 100% closed at all times, we don't know what Putin would've done. His (regime) statement of just an hour or two ago, to get his nuclear weapons teams in alert status seems to me Putin is a crazy man. It doesn't look like the war in Ukraine is going as he planned. Bringing nuclear weapon teams in a high alert state because the world is cutting off his banks from SWIFT, is a crazy act. He must know, the western world will not stop cutting him and his regime from the financial system, so where will this lead to? I'm not saying USA and the rest of the western world are all good. Also I wonder about the open doors for Ukraine and EU and NATO since it sounds logical Putin want neutral ground between Russia's borders and western borders. That said, I believe Putin doesn't have his two feet on the ground, already for a long time. With such peeps, one can't make an agreement that one can trust. I believe, we already gave Putin too much trust with all our dependencies on him and his country for gas. Around Europe, we see a few 'crazy' men in charge, dictators if you will, of which Putin and Erdogan are the two most well-known ones. It seems both these guys are dreaming of being some kind of emperor of a large area. On the topic of propaganda: Am pretty sure this is the case in the western world. But this is at least the same in Russia itself. Personally, I do hope very very soon the war stops, the Russian army leaves Ukraine and all will be back to diplomacy. Am afraid though, this is not gonna happen anytime soon.