Thank you for added explanation, but I still don’t see how your analogy makes your point at all. Regarding your suggestion for a referendum, elections have been irrelevant in Ukraine since the Maidan Revolution. I doubt that anyone would trust the result.
My point is citing history or maps showing how Ukraine was historically part of Russia gives no moral strength to Russia when Ukrainians DO NOT WANT to be part of Russia TODAY.
The same arguments can be made against Ukraine with Crimea. Why insist on holding on to Crimea when this region don’t want to be Ukrainians?
As for Donbas, the argument that elections has been made irrelevant in the past should not stop another refendum, this time, monitored by the rest of the world to make sure it’s fair and reflects the will of the majority. And all parties should adhere to the results.
Otherwise, what is the alternative?