If Ukraine decide to join NATO, I bet on the same day, Eastern Ukraine will announce the referendum to split from Ukraine. Russia will never tolerate Ukraine joining NATO. I doubt Russia will even tolerate Ukraine joining EU. There is already sign the european countries are taking this issue cautiously. Ukraine is in a deep shit, they can't move forward or backward, stuck in a very uncomfortable place, while losing control half of their country. That's what happen when you disregard the will of half your nation, the ethnic Russians, who has powerful backing just next door. Biden also just threw Ukraine under the bus, by publicly differentiating "minor and major" incursions, LOL. It is clear that the US has no stomach to get into the ring with papa bear.