NATO is a defensive alliance.
It's best to view Russia as a sexual predator. You see, in the past Russia had its way with
Poland, the
Baltics,
Central &
Eastern Europe, etc. Note that Russia remains very proud of this, and brags about it constantly, views it as notches on its belt.
In response, NATO provided these countries expandable batons and tasers. Uncle Sam also offered to walk those countries to their car while Russia coped and seethed in the shadows.
This made Russia angry, because Russia thinks it should be able to fukk who it wants when it wants. Uncle Sam and John Bull decided to give Ukraine some pepper spray and a whistle, but it wasn't actually under the proper protection of NATO. Uncle Sam would
not be walking Ukraine to the car.
In response, Russia thought they caught Ukraine alone in the parking garage, and decided to
rape Ukraine. In response, they put forth the old "Ukraine was dressed like a whore, Ukraine was asking for it", and people like you buy it.
So fukk this "One Word: Nato" bullshyt. Putin's Russia lives and dies by its nostalgia for Russian Imperial/Soviet power. Russia has a long history of fukking over Poland, Ukraine, etc. long before NATO was a thing. If Russia couldn't form productive, non-exploitative/non-murderous relationships with these countries, then that's on
Russia.