Ukraine since 1991 has had a lot of history ; its disengenuous to say NATO wasn`t involved until recently - they were accepted into the Partnership for Peace programme back in 1994.
2004 - the first direct Russia influenced election;Yushchenkois the candidate who wants closer EU ties, and Yanukovych is openly supported by Russia. During the campaign Yushchenkoi is poisoned with dioxines but survives and his supporters take to the streets dressed in orange. They force a revote and Yushchenkoi is the first president in a former USSR state who overturns the Russia supproted incumbant.
2006 - Russia turns off the gas (for the first time) , the EU are alarmed but as we know 14 years later, didnt have an actual plan.
2008, NATO actually talk to Putin about adding Croatia, Georgia and Ukraine to its membership action plan - Putin replies with 2 things. He says Ukraine isnt really a nation state anyway, and he invades Georgia. After which Ukraine open talks with the EU about closer intergration.
2010 election saw Yanukovych voted back in, on a platform of anti corruption ; UN and EU observers say the election was free and fair (this time). Aftyer 2 years of talks but opposition party leaders arrested, the EU talks break down, and Yanukovych moves closer to Russia which leads to....
2013 - Euromaiden.
which then goes to
2014 - Russia invade Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk and here we are.