Although it seems like your ex is at the very beginning stages of achieving some kind of self awareness, ( which is kind of amazing, considering what you have written about him), his efforts are clumsy and would actually cause harm if you allowed him access.
Good for you for navigating this insane situation so well and for patiently explaining to this man how his plans to suddenly see his daughter after years of estrangement are not in her best interest. You are a truly evolved person whose main priority is her child. Which is how it should be. Keep on making him face reality.
But it must be exhausting.