Well we are ALREADY in World-War-III and Ukraine has ALREADY been admitted as a de-facto NATO member.

The rest are tactics which are best left to the experts.

As for the use of nuclear weapons, an all-out nuclear war using 100's if not 1000's of nuclear warheads is yesterday's fear. With advancements in mathematics and automation that were not yet available during the cold war, the nuclear phase of this war is likely going to be more of a statistical nature, resulting in only a dozen or two nuclear warheads actually exploding. While this can be devastating for some, it will not have a major effect on human population, so further corrections will still be needed in future.

Dear Foxy,

Putin authorised the invasion and could order the army out of Ukraine at any time and have no risk of Russia being attacked. As AC pointed out (and is often repeated of Russian telly with great relish), Russia has the means to inflict nuclear devastation on western nations. When I hear western leaders boasting of how they could wipe Russia from the map with a nuclear blitzkrieg I might develop a distaste for "US imperialism". Until then I am grateful for the support given to a fledgling democracy against unprovoked genocide and obliteration.

As for AC's assessment of the conflict, note that a commander of Russia's southern defensive lines just got dismissed for raising concerns about the robustness of the Russian defensive lines. I share AC's despair at the horrors of the conflict, but I have more optimism for Ukraine's chances, noting that Ukraine is becoming increasingly effective at eliminating the Russian artillery which has been the main obstacle for Ukraine in the conflict thus far.

Dear David,

Ukraine's accesstion to NATO is supported by the
vast majority of the country's population according
to a poll conducted by the Rating Group on March 1st.
76% of Ukrainians support this decision. The highest
figure since Ukraine achieved independence in 1991.
Moreover Russia's aggression has opened Europe's
eyes therefore that is the reason being left open
for Ukraine to join NATO.

It is also obvious that the Russian Federation
is prepared to attack only those who are left alone
to defend themselves. This is the core of Putin's
"security assurances" to Ukraine, NATO and the US
to abandon Eastern Europe to its fate as a mark
of respect for Russia.

Despite the Russian Defense Ministry's promises not
to shoot at people or civilian targets thousands of
innocent Ukrainians have already been killed by
Russian weapons and shelling. Hundreds of thousands of
people have been forced to flee their homes for security
and basic survival.

Russian occupying troops are responsible for the
shelling of residential areas in Kharkiv, Mariupol, and
Chernihiv, the destruction of kindergartens and schools
and the fire on Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

However, war could have been avoided if Russia had
threatened not only Ukraine but all the member states of
the alliance at once. Russia's behaviour is military
aggression. Therefore approaching NATO makes sense.

Dear Fester,

I too am optimistic about Ukraine's chances of
survival and am horrified at Putin's actions.
Hopefully, Putin will not succeed and Freedom
will prevail.

The Russian people must stand up and do what is right
not only for themselves bu the rest of humanity.

Dear David,

You wrote, "Ukraine is fighting for independence from Russia.".
That statement is false. Putin probably shares Kim Jong Un's fear that North Korea's citizens might see how the other half is living and ask "Why not us?".

This Russian blogger asks Russian citizens how much they earn a month:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPmXMFqU1xw&t=216s

Terror and misinformation is how authoritarian kleptocrats maintain their power.

Security in our daily lives is key to our well being.
NATO'S purpose is to guarantee the freedom and security
if its members. It currently has 31 member countries.

Nato promotes democratic values and enables members to
consult and co-operate on defence and security-related issues
to solve problems, build trust, and in the long-run prevent
conflict. NATO is committed to the peaceful resolution of
disputes. If diplomatic efforts fail, it has the military
power to undertake crisis management operations.

These are carried out under the collective defence clause of
NATO'S founding treaty or under a United Nations mandale
in cooperation with other countries and international
organisations.

Hundreds of officials as well as civilians and military experts
come to NATO Headquarters each day to exchange information,
share ideas, and help prepare decisions when needed, in
co-operation with national delegates and the staff at NATO
Headquarters.

The following link explains the history of NATO:

http://nato.int/cps/en/natohq/declassified_139339.htm