Did Putin Ask To Join NATO?

He says he asked Bill Clinton in 2000.

Big if true.

I'm woefully ignorant about such things--but turning him down certainly sounds like it was a mistake. Though it's hard to tell how much of that judgment depends on hindsight. 

Bringing Russia more firmly into Europe / the West certainly sounds like it would be good--especially with the rise of a more belligerent China. 

Oopsie.