Yes, Ukraine itself could not and still can't fulfill requirements to become a NATO member.
These are:
• New members must uphold democracy, including tolerating diversity
• New members must be making progress toward amarket economy
• Their military forces must be under firm civilian control
• They must be good neighbors and respect sovereignty outside their borders
• They must be working toward compatibility with NATO forces
HOWEVER, it would be very useful for the US to have their soldiers in Ukraine and also the US NAVY in Sevastopol Naval Base, therefore a serious effort was made to prop Ukraine up to make joining possible (2008 Bucharest Summit).
Considering that a US sponsored regime change took place in 2014, and a pro-Western government came to power with a serious ambition of NATO, Russia had to take action.
USA knew exactly what they were doing and what the outcome of this would be, since they have 200 years of regime change experience.
Also no stranger to False Flag operations:
If you really have been to Ukraine, I wonder how you could miss rund down "Khrushchyovkas", which make up 90% of Ukrainian cities and towns. I've been to Kiev and also Donetzk multiple times since my father was born there. Let me tell you, Ukraine is most certainly not Europe. My grandmother gets a 67$ pension each month, so listening to politicians talk about EU is simply bizarre.
Trully a brilliant move by the US. Either drag Ukraine to NATO and station US military there, or have Russia start a war and turn Europe away from cheap gas.