I might write, "guy launching the attack is doing so because Ukraine is busily arming itself so it can be de facto strong enough to join NATO as an additive military power (which is one of the stipulations to becoming a member).

"Membership" really isn't the issue. It shows how insidious the media is when even you (and I) talk in their terms. Putin wanted a stop to Ukraine becoming a NATO-like Power.

He couldn't even get them to say no membership. Even worse when you think of how easy it would have been to grant.

I transcribed this, and was, as I expected spot on. https://maxrottersman.medium.com/why-couldnt-germany-s-navy-chief-kay-achim-schonbach-speak-openly-about-putin-and-ukraine-47a83f994ee3