I think the lesson is Ukraine should have joined NATO years ago and countries should only elect leaders who respect the alliance and want to keep it strong.
That would have just moved the timeline up. Ukraine is in a shitty position. Russia has always had a "red line" of conflict if Ukraine joins NATO. NATO has always known this.
Russia's neighbors want in to be protected from war, but there is no way in without starting a war.
Russia's neighbors want in to be protected from war, but there is no way in without starting a war.