All in the peaceful embrace of Russia, no doubt. Of what value is it to Ukraine to keep Crimea the same color on the map, if they don't hold onto their own sovereignty?
You must not be familiar with the February 20th Agreement in which the old government of Ukraine agreed to restore the 2004 Constitution, form an interim unity government with the opposition, pass constitutional reforms rebalancing power within the branches of government, and hold early elections for both parliament and then president.
If that agreement had been adhered to, Ukraine would have already completed the constitutional reforms and democratic elections would have been scheduled for next month. All while adhering to the rule of law and upholding the constitutional order.
The agreement held no guarantee that Russian influence in Ukraine would be replaced by Europe, but it was an internationally agreed solution to the crisis which Russia would have had to abide.