Informed or uninformed public opinion doesn't matter when you have nuclear bombs detonated on top of your house. And after that you also have radiation.
So, freedom/democracy/sovereignty doesn't matter if Putin says to them don't join NATO. They can either hold their noses and keep things the same, or get obliterated. See? Who said Putin is a dictator, he even gives them a choice:
"Choose between life or death"
Do you really believe Putin is suicidal?