> NATO itself said they would join the alliance back in 2008.
No. That was merely a polite statement without any timetable or actionable steps, made after the allies had decided at the 2008 summit not to invite Ukraine and Georgia into NATO, leaving both countries exposed to Russian pressure and eventual military aggression.
Nowadays, this is widely considered a severe mistake. For example, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the former NATO secretary-general, has on many occasions referred to the exclusion of Ukraine and Georgia as mistakes that emboldened Putin to invade them.
Perhaps you should drop him an email to explain that he doesn't know what he's talking about and that Ukraine was "actually" on the path to NATO membership. So much ignorance in the world, ain't there.
Nowadays, this is widely considered a severe mistake. For example, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the former NATO secretary-general, has on many occasions referred to the exclusion of Ukraine and Georgia as mistakes that emboldened Putin to invade them.
Perhaps you should drop him an email to explain that he doesn't know what he's talking about and that Ukraine was "actually" on the path to NATO membership. So much ignorance in the world, ain't there.