History has shown, from a statistical standpoint, lesser countries with a neutral foreign policy out survived lesser countries that aligned with a major power, because by default turned themselves into a target for the opposing major power.I'm not saying it was right or wrong, the fact is Ukraine was making moves to join NATO rather than stay as neutral between NATO and Russia. The Russians will not accept this and this is the primary reason Putin decided to invade Ukraine. Russia is a major power, and no major power will accept another major power on its doorstep.
No difference to US implementing the Monroe Doctrine that forbid any European power to establish a military base in North America or they will declare war. And no difference to Chinese intervention in Korean War when the US 8th Army decided to go all the up to the Yalu River on China's border.
