NATO was already at the border in 2004 (Baltics) and initially Putin had no problem with it. In 2007 he was suddenly spooked.

Nonsense. Ukraine did not ban or suppress Russian-speaking people in Donbas in the sense of everyday life or private use of language. There were political disputes over language laws, which created tensions and fears, but international monitors have found no evidence of systematic persecution. Russia used the language issue as a major propaganda point to justify intervention.

RT is a Russian state sponsored and controlled media outlet. Its 100% propaganda and useless to determine actual truth about what is going on.