The problem is NATO. Putin doesn’t care about EU unless it’s a pathway to NATO membership.

Ukraine is too poor and corrupt for either. Their membership application should be rejected.

The goal has always been to weaken Russia. Matt Taibbi and Jeffrey Sachs have confirmed this from 1992 to 1998

Ukraine is a former Soviet republic. It has no strategic value except for needling Russia. Ethnically and culturally Ukraine has more in common with Russia than Western Europe.