Ideally Ukraine and Russia should be tied together. But the Russians actions over the years has only served to drive a wedge between the Ukrainians and Russians, to the point where a union is not practical without a lot of strife.
True, it has been said that the strife was created by the poor way the countries were portioned after the fall of the soviets.
I tend to agree with that. I will also say that wedge has been made worse by agitators from both sides.
Ukraine should sit down at the table with Russia and try at least to keep Odessa and be done with the Russian leaning Donbas.
And then it could be that some people never want to let grievances die no matter how many years go by. Cutting off their noses to spite their faces. lol