It's more complex than that. Same thing you said could be said for Iraq vs NATO. It's Ukraine's total foreign policy failure (tbh they are a young country, but bordering a country like Russia, one can't afford mistakes in these fields & Russia's intervention in Georgia, Kazakhastan & Chechnya should've been a lesson). Rather than being a bridge between Russia and the EU, it tilted 100% EU/NATO. As much as we both would like idealism & respect for sovereignty, we both know ground reality doesn't work like that. Before applying to NATO/EU Ukraine should've invested in their military, upto a certain amount that would've made a Russian attack very very costly or unsustainable. In this regard Ukraine's 'inaction' has consequences.

Case in point look at Finland and Sweden. They are strongly armed, neutral & economically integrated with western economies. Only now that Russia is focused on Ukraine, did they decide joining NATO. All this was never the case with Ukraine to begin with.

Also War is never common people's fault. Don't put words in my mouth.