[Petrosius]

When the political entities that previously represented the majority of your interests get undemocratically ousted, I'm sure the prospect of voting becomes less appealing.

Of course Russia's military invasion in 2014 precluded any attempt at a political resolution. But I guess that is OK because they are Russians.

[Ultra Sonic 007]

Of course Russia's military invasion in 2014 precluded any attempt at a political resolution. But I guess that is OK because they are Russians.

Crimea was annexed after entities openly hostile to Russian interests claimed political power in Ukraine.

Notwithstanding whether or not the people of Crimea were okay with said annexation (because some sources say yes, others no, and the remainder are more ambiguous): given that Crimea holds Russia's only year-wound warm-water port (historically speaking), it is no surprise that Russia would seek to guarantee access to Sevastopol in the brief power vacuum that resulted after the Maidan Revolution.

Any other country in an analogous situation (America included) with an interest in power projection and being a Great Power would have done the same.

[Ultra Sonic 007]

Brief addendum: it should go without saying that the Donbass was not annexed in 2014.