Stoltenberg is a mediocre salesman:

NATO chief says Ukraine will join the military alliance, subject to reforms, after the war – Yahoo / Euronews – Nov 28, 2023

Ukraine will become a member of NATO subject to reforms after the war, the military alliance’s secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, said on Monday.

He was speaking ahead of a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels, at which the alliance is expected to reaffirm its support for Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Whatever Stoltenberg might say, it is not going to happen. There is no purpose for Ukraine to be integrated to NATO except for U.S. self-aggrandization. Some assume that NATO membership would protect Ukraine from further attacks by Russia. It would not. The Toastmaster’... Prochnow, Herbert V. Best Price: $3.24 Buy New $21.16 (as of 07:37 UTC - Details)

The U.S. itself does not believes that NATO membership protects any country from being attacked by Russia:

‘If you think the price is high now’ – Kirby outlines price U.S. will pay if Ukraine loses war – Yahoo – Dec 7, 2023

“America will not only spend money, but also shed its own blood,” if the U.S. doesn’t assist Ukraine in its war against Russia and Russia prevails, said National Security spokesperson John Kirby during a briefing.
…
“If you think the cost of supporting Ukraine is high now just imagine how much higher it’s going to be not just in National Treasure but in American blood if he [Putin] starts going after one of our NATO allies… we [will] take our Article 5 commitments very seriously,” said Kirby.
…
“American boots would very much have to be involved if Mr. Putin is allowed to have this strategic victory in Ukraine and then perhaps goes after one of our NATO allies,” Kirby added.

Kirby obviously believes that NATO membership does not protect one from a Russian attack. He fearmongers about U.S. participation in a war under an allegedly binding Article 5 event. Ninja AF101 Air Fryer ... Best Price: $43.90 Buy New $88.99 (as of 07:37 UTC - Details)

But it is a myth that Article 5 of the Washington Treaty (which founded NATO) will guarantee that others would come to a members defense with their own armies.

Article 5 does not say anything like that. Here is its essence:

The Parties agree … that .. each of them … will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith … such action as it deems necessary …

“Such action as it deems necessary …” may include a lot of potential measures (including none) which differ from sending one’s army.

Would the U.S. really go to war with another nuclear superpower over some tussle between Estonia (1.4 million inhabitants of which a third are ethnic Russian) and the Russian Federation?

I for one find this very unlikely.

Reprinted with permission from Moon of Alabama.