Coupla things...
1. Who is provoking whom in Ukraine exactly? and
2. How much territory outside Russia's current borders is Putin entitled to annex before we dare risk "provoking" him over it?
I doubt you will accept it, but the west provoked Russia first by expanding its influence closer and closer to Russia. The US also helped to foment the protests that overthrew the elected government of the Ukraine.
Second, historically, the Crimea was always a part of Russia. The Russian-speaking people in eastern Ukraine voted to align with Russia. Once again, western powers declared an election invalid because it didn’t like the results. So much for promoting democracy. There is only the west’s contention that Russia has the intention of recreating the former Soviet Union.
Third, this is a different age. There will not be another WWII in the nuclear age. To provoke a major nuclear power over something that is Europe’s problem is nuts. Other than sanctions, which are almost always ineffective and will hurt Europe and US interests as much as Russian, what would you have us do? Send weapons, troops? To what end?
In case nobody noticed, the US is broke. We are being invaded from the south and infiltrated by Islamic radicals. To spend time, money, or energy poking the Russian bear is absurd.
And, no, I don’t trust Putin, but I don’t trust any government. They all lie.
I’m embarrassed to share membership with some of these people.