We should all recognize that war with a nuclear Russia would be total disaster and to maintain  peace and national security we should all have an interest in seeing relations between the West and Russia normalized.
But before this can happen the West, who charge that Russia annexed Ukraine, repeatedly insist that Russia must withdraw from Crimea turning it over to Ukraine.                                                                                                                 Annexed implies that the Russians took Crimea by force which is a stretch, as Russian forces already stationed in Crimea took control without firing a shot.
The people of Crimea felt threatened by the unelected Kiev government that came to power as a result of a coup that overthrew the elected President.      And well they should be as this extremely right wing nationalist government had clearly messaged that things would change with the implementation of de-russification.
The dominent language of Crimea is Russian and historically Crimea has been a part of Russia. It was only after a majority vote for Russian takeover that Russian President Putin signed a treaty to make Crimea again a part of Russia. The legality of this may be questionable but under the UN Charter of rights the Crimean people have the right to choose Russia over Ukraine. The UN Security Council Right to Protect statute may also be considered as legitimizing.
The return of Crimea to Ukraine will not happen and those who insist on making this a condition for normalization must know it will not happen.      Peace and understanding should never be made hostage to such a ridiculous demand.
rb