When a friend posted a message about Crimea voting to be annexed to Russia

Russia invaded the Crimea, (part of the independent nation of Ukraine) a man who belonged to the parliament, who had about 3% of the popular vote placed himself in charge and then a vote was taken under duress. How is that democratic? It’s not about the US and Europe conceeding anything, it’s about the rights of Ukraine (and Crimea) for self-determination not at gunpoint. Putin’s goal is to re-take the former borders of the Soviet Union, most containing ethnic minorities that were purged as recently as a few decades ago. In fact, Crimean Tartars are already being attacked in the streets and disappearing.