Does a country need to be a member of NATO in order to be an ally?
Yes.
Or be declared a "Non NATO ally". That also allows the US military to store American equipment and ammo in that country for an emergency.
Ukraine was none of the above.
You guys are acting like "Hey window washer guy... I think you're my daddy!" LOL
seems to echo why Pres Putin is so against Ukraine asking to join NATO
If Ukraine had been NATO, they would not have been invaded because then they would be American allies.
Need to dump that stone into the ocean.....