You might take the time to actually read that article. Ignoring the fact it's referencing hearsay from 22 years ago, the General says he told Putin the way to join NATO is simply to apply to join. Obviously, Putin did not want to join enough to, you know, ask to join. He told David Frost he "wouldn't rule it out", which is a loooooong way from actually wanting to do it. I'm sure that I could quickly Google up an example of something Putin "didn't rule out" and never did, but it's awfully clear at this point this isn't a good-faith conversation.