Russia and Ukraine have actually had a difficult relationship for centuries. Kyivan Rus spanned what is now Russia and Ukraine, and its people, the Slavs, are the ancestors of todays Russians and Ukrainians. Ukraines president, Viktor Yanukovych, wanted Ukraine to be faithful to Russia. In 2014, Russia took over a location in southern Ukraine called Crimea. It also sent out soldiers and weapons to eastern Ukraine, claiming to be helping individuals who desired to be part of Russia.
Both nations trace their starts to the exact same middle ages kingdom, called Kyivan Rus. It was established in the 800s by a group of Vikings, the Varangians, who originated from Northern Europe to rule over the local people. Kyivan Rus covered what is now Russia and Ukraine, and its individuals, the Slavs, are the ancestors of todays Russians and Ukrainians. Its capital was the city of Kyiv– the very same Kyiv that is now the capital of Ukraine. Moscow, capital these dayss Russia, was likewise part of Kyivan Rus.
Where is Ukraine?
Map of Ukraine, Russia and other Eastern European countries.
Kyivan Rus was dominated by Mongol armies from Asia in 1240 and split up. Kyiv entered into a brand-new commonwealth that covered todays Poland and Ukraine. Moscow became a regional capital of the Mongol Empire. Both Moscow and Kyiv were at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, but with different cultures based upon their geography.
Imperial Russia and the Soviet Union
In the 1500s, descendants of the Kyivan Rus princes in Moscow formed an empire of their own, royal Russia. By 1654, it included Kyiv and its Ukrainian individuals along with other lands and individuals from Europe and Asia.
In imperial Russia, some saw Ukrainians as brothers to the Russians because they shared a culture dating back to medieval times. Ukrainians stated that while both groups practiced the exact same faith and shared some history, Ukrainian culture– such as its food, music, language, and art– was various. It was formed by contact with different individuals and a history various from Russias.
A revolution in February 1917 forced Russias leader, Czar Nicholas II, from the throne. Another transformation that same year developed a new empire called the Soviet Union.
Some Ukrainians didnt desire to join the brand-new Soviet empire. When the Soviets began to fear that Ukrainians desired independence, they took their power away.
A totally free Ukraine
In 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed. Ukraine and Russia, which both had been part of the Soviet Union, ended up being independent countries.
Ukraines president, Viktor Yanukovych, desired Ukraine to be faithful to Russia. Ukrainians objected, kicked Yanukovych out of office, and chose a federal government that favored Europe rather than Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that in spite of these protests, the majority of Ukrainians desired ties with Russia. He likewise stressed that Ukraine would join a military alliance with the U.S. and Europe that would be a threat to Russia.
In 2014, Russia took over an area in southern Ukraine called Crimea. It also sent out soldiers and weapons to eastern Ukraine, declaring to be assisting individuals who desired to be part of Russia. In the 8 years ever since, about 14,000 people have actually passed away, and 1 million individuals have left to leave the battling.
The present war
In February 2022, Putin again declared that Ukrainians and Russians are one individuals. He sees Ukrainians and Russians as bro countries and says that because Russia is the older brother, it must get to supervise.
Most Ukrainians disagree. They have been inspired by the words of their president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He told Putin that Ukrainians want peace, but that if they need to, they will safeguard their countrys independence.
Putin invaded, and this time his strategy is to take control of the entire country. Ukrainians are now fighting the Russian army, attempting to defeat what they state is a profession.
In Russia, the individuals had no say about whether to get into. Many households have both Russian and Ukrainians members.
The United States and much of Europe are on the side of Ukrainians. They think Ukraine needs to be able to decide its own future.
Written by Kathryn David, Mellon Assistant Professor of Russian and East European Studies, Vanderbilt University.
This short article was very first published in The Conversation.
Ukraine and Russia are 2 countries that surround each other in Eastern Europe. On February 24, 2022, Russia sent its army into Ukraine and started attempting to take over the nation by force.
This intrusion shocked lots of people, as it was the very first major war in Europe for years. Russia and Ukraine have had a hard relationship for centuries. To comprehend whats occurring now you have to dig into 1,300 years of history.