If we consider Ukraine as a de-fact NATO state, the Russians...

If we consider Ukraine as a de-fact NATO state, the Russians have been trying to find some sort of a middle ground with NATO since USSR got dismantled.

Going as far as letting NATO use it's air-base located within Russia, to move goods and people in-out of Afghanistan (becoming a de-jure NATO's ally in it's war against Afghanistan).

You know that kind of treatment Russia received in return.