That's the treaty. It was unconditional and unlimited in time, and Ukraine gave up something real for that security. Even if the rest of your argument holds, th

That's the treaty. It was unconditional and unlimited in time, and Ukraine gave up something real for that security. Even if the rest of your argument holds, the lesson is there: don't give up things for promises from Russia. Today Ukraine would certainly rather have the nukes than a piece of paper. As for the rest of it... As said, Ukraine wasn't really on track for NATO membership. But even if it was, this is all hyperbolic speech from Russia. For one, they themselves have no issue having lots of weaponry right on the border, in Kaliningrad and Belarus. For two, they made so much noise about Ukraine, well, basically not being ruled out of NATO, but when Finland, with a much longer border and more money actually joined NATO, they whimpered some half hearted threats and were done with it. Didn't seem to care much one way or the other.