The U.S. “administers” five permanently inhabited island territories; American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

If Puerto Rico (or Hawaii for that matter) declared independence and secured China (or Russia) as its protector, what do you think would happen?

China “should” recognize Taiwan’s independence and foster a relationship with them rather than dominate them because they can but if they don’t, the USA and European countries “should not”interfere.

Every outcome would be better.

Same with Russia-Ukraine, Palestine-Israel.

California and Texas and any other states should be able to decide to take their independence back as well if they believe they aren’t being served by the union as it is.

Leading by example, respecting sovereignty (even within the USA, 10th Amendment is the most ignored) and fostering relationships between states inside and outside the union is the way forward.