Democratic-> sovereign isn't a backpedal; it's describing two different things. You wouldn't say that me describing some apples as green, and then saying there are 3 of them is somehow a reduction in the amount of green the apples are simple because I didn't call them green again.

Sovereign describes the authority to do things on a territory. Ukraine is sovereign; they aren't a territory of Russia, Ukraine answers to Ukraine on its own political matters. That does nothing to describe or rule-out democracy.

If I say "Ukraine is a democracy, who in 2019 held an election described as fair and free by international observers, in which the citizens elected a president of their own volition", would you realize that me describing Ukraine as sovereign in no way, shape, or form, describes it's elective process?

Cause if I need to, I will.