No, there is a harsh reality to face - Ukranians voted for independence.
The rump of Russian-speakers in border areas still mentally cleaving to Russia, voted against it in significant numbers, but did not win the vote.
Given its history of subjugation by the Russians, including genocide and colonisation, Ukraine had every right to secure its own country thereafter.
Once that vote happened, Ukraine had sovereignity to protect against 'separatists' who, 8 months after Putin's invasion, according to an illegal, hasty referendum conducted under occupation after millions had fled, are no longer 'separate' at all, but apparently part of Russia.
I understand why Putin wants Ukraine, it's just not his to take, nor do those still remaining in border regions after the Russian invasion have the right to give it.
Any conflict in that region prior to invasion was not one-sided, but only one of the parties had a newly independent Nation to protect.
History shows subjugation of Ukraine by the Russians, up to and including genocide and colonisation, and recent military intervention by Russia on the side of separatists, and Ukraine has every right to defend its sovereignity against enemies, both foreign and domestic.
