Are we, then, to respect the position of these nations' leaders over and above the general view of their people?
That certainly sounds elitist to me...
You juxtaposed "the paranoia that western media blames Putin’s behavior on" against Russia's actual motives--with the former coming in a distant second place...
Do you really--truly--believe that Russia would "go to war" if Ukraine were allowed into NATO?
That sounds almost as if you actually believe that Russia is just looking for an excuse to go to war with NATO. Whereas I believe that they wish to avoid it, at all costs.
Since you--you--spoke of "the paranoia that western media blames Putin’s behavior on," it is you who made this relevant.