Well, a part of Ukraine is speaking Russian language and got Russian culture. Why not being part of Russia? Therefore they got their choice in a poll. And if the "West" would not have insisted Ukraine to become a western country as part of Nato and EU, and stay neutral, there would not have been any reason for Russia to take the Donbass and Crimea. And on Top if Ukraine would have followed the Minsk Protocol as it was agreed, Ukraine would exist as it was.
And now we have a proxy war. Side affect: China and Russia will become buddies. If the US warmongers can't see that they can't fight Russia and China, and can't win in particular, the world will end in a disaster.