It actually does matter. Because the alternative is to assume that the demands of every nuclear power must be acquiesced to regardless of how crazy it might be.

Should we all pat our heads and rub our tummies if Russia says they'll nuke NATO if we don't? What if he demands that all former Warsaw Pact countries be removed from NATO? It's a classic if you give an inch, they'll take a mile. If you prove to them that you can be bullied, that you are fearful and are willing to roll over, they'll simply keep pushing as far as they can. If they can achieve their aims by merely threatening the use of nuclear weapons, without expending a drop of blood or a single Ruble, then they would be fools not to use it whenever and wherever they can.

We've played this song and dance before. Just as you, and I and everyone in NATO do not wish to die in a nuclear war, neither does Russia and their leadership. Which means so long as we are careful to A) not risk the actual destruction of Russia as a political entity and B) not risk the destruction of Russia's nuclear deterrence, then Russia will not use nuclear weapons. Ukraine is not integral to either, therefore NATO could even go so far as engaging in direct combat within the borders of Ukraine to remove Russian invaders. I don't think it'll ever come to that, mostly due to spineless Western leadership unless Russia did something heinously stupid.