> Tell me, when has NATO threatened to place nuclear missiles in Ukraine?

I never said it has to be nuclear missiles. Tomahawks will do for 800km range. And that's a threat for national security.

>I'm willing to admit Putin may have convinced himself and some Russians that there's a national security concern, but the evidence is severely lacking.

If your neighbor says your dog is a concern, you better listen to your neighbor and do not adopt 10 more.