It’s entirely possible that, as Ukraine’s democracy matured, Crimea could have changed hands peacefully.
It’s also possible that, as Ukraine’s democracy matured, Crimea would have no longer wanted to leave.
Russia short-circuited that by force.
It's not in the slightest bit possible. Ukraine has not offered a vote, it would not conduct a vote and Ukraines constitution prohibits such a vote.
You cannot respect democracy and want crimea returned to Ukraine.
The two positions are fundamentally incompatible.
If "whatever they want" means independence and self determination then yes, either you believe they should have it or you give democracy the middle finger.
Theres no middle ground there.
Some people think ukraine should be run from Moscow and fuck what anybody in ukraine thinks. Some people think crimea should be run from Kyiv and fuck what anybody in Crimea thinks. They both hate democracy.