Yeah, my choice of wording was bad. By "never antagonized Russia" I meant "didn't provoke this conflict." I know the countries have a long history.
Ukraine's democracy wasn't perfect, but elections were successfully rigged at least. It was functional if not necessarily unassailable.
In no way, shape or form should my following comment be construed as support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and just in case let me clearly state I think the invasion is not right and that I think it will be Putin's downfall, and deservedly so.
That said, that Ukraine was a "functioning democracy" and that it never antagonized Russia are very debatable assertions, to say the least.