Ok, but guvernement of Kiev was not that independent.
I agree Ukraine did not exist as a sovereign state till 1991 (except for a brief and very unstable period after the WWI), but to say there was no Ukraine was really inaccurate.
Re the Crimea situation it ought to be noted Crimea was never a part of Ukraine before the 1950s.
Soviets loved to play with the borders.
Crimea was an Autonomous Soviet Republic before WW II, thus neither part of Russia nor of Ukraine.
Not quite. It was an Autonomous Soviet Republic within the Russian SFRR. If not for the transfer, it would be part of the Russian Federation right now.
I disagree. Crimea was part of Russia since the Khanate has been abolished. Compare that to mere 60 years as a part of first Ukrainian SSR, and then independent Ukraine.
I do not advocate Crimea to be annexed back, just saying.