> It could also refuse their application or just tell them they won’t be accepted if they apply, like they did when Russia joined NATO partnership and wanted to

> It could also refuse their application or just tell them they won’t be accepted if they apply, like they did when Russia joined NATO partnership and wanted to become a member. Russia never applied, they wanted to be special and be asked to apply, they where told that they would have to apply like everyone else. And then never did.