History of Russia and Ukraine

 History Of Russia and Ukraine

History Of Russia and Ukraine

Russia and Ukraine: Here's how these two neighbours who share the same ancestry, a common history, nearly the same language, and follow the same church yet frequently appear to find themselves at odds with each other. Russia and Ukraine: Here's how these two nations have descended into an inevitably recurring conflict rooted in centuries-long disputes, threatening the prospect of peace and security in the region and around the world. you open a map, you will see the geographical importance of Ukraine, particularly for Russia. By 1922, as the Tsars were dethroned, Russia became what is known as the Soviet Union, a totalitarian form of governance that included mass agricultural and industrial plants. In the 1930s, when Ukrainian farmers descended against the Soviet Union's collective push, they found themselves on the bitter end of the infamous Soviet leader, Joseph Stalin's iron fist. Stalin, responsible for the death of millions, carried out what is referred to as the Holodomor, a campaign of famine mass killings and the mass relocation of more than 10 million people. 

However, one gesture that may be viewed as a silver lining in the century of hostility and violence between Russia and Ukraine was made by Nikita Khrushchev, the Soviet leader of Ukrainian descent, who gifted Crimea to Ukraine in 1954.Why? Some say as an apology for what Stalin did, but the exact reason is still disputed and unknown by most. Fast forward to 1991, when communist Russia crumbled after the west emerged victorious in the cold war. As a result, Ukraine declared independence alongside numerous newly founded republics, breaking away from their communist nightmare. However, this was not the end of Russia as we know it. and Ukraine were still at odds, particularly over the control of the Black Sea. Hence the importance of this part here.

History Of Russia and Ukraine

 In 1997, Russia recognised Ukraine's borders, a matter made easier by the presence of a pro-russian leader in Kiev, Leonid Kuchma. However, an economic crisis, the gradual disintegration of the opposition, and Russian-induced natural gas pressure led to protests and eventually Uschenko's demise. In 2010, Victor Yanukovych was elected to power, a pro-russian candidate. In the same year, the Ukrainian parliament withdrew its candidacy from Nato and by 2013 its association agreement with the European union but this did not come without consequence. 

Tens of thousands of people are dissatisfied with the nation's political direction. People took to the streets in what was dubbed the maidan revolution, or revolution of dignity. In total, 77 people were killed in the maidan revolution, or revolution of dignity. protesters were killed by security forces and Yanukovych fled to his patrons in Russia in March 2014. A month after these clashes, Russia moved swiftly and annexed Crimea, triggering the biggest clash between western Russia and Russia since the cold war. In April 2014, Russian paramilitary groups also took over Donbass in eastern Ukraine as the Ukrainian military tried to retain its territorial integrity. 

History Of Russia and Ukraine

Russian forces moved beyond their border into what is a largely Russian-populated area in eastern Ukraine. More deaths, displacements, and media rows led to a ceasefire by February 2015. But just enough for both sides to take a break. Back in Kiev, a pro-western party headed by businessman Petro Poroshenko had won yet another set of elections with a parliamentary majority established. Ukraine re-signed an association agreement with the EU in 2017. Meanwhile, Russia, adamant about keeping its own control of Crimea, constructed a bridge between its mainland and Crimea. 

History Of Russia and Ukraine

Today, Russia has recognised the Donetsk people's republic and maintains a tight grip on Crimea. As you can see on the news every day, the schism keeps getting deeper with the possibility of a new world war and nuclear entanglements being openly discussed. Even faith is unable to bridge the gap, as even the Ukrainian church has broken away from the Russian orthodox hierarchy and, despite the common ancestry, Ukraine remains a site of Russian and western rivalry, so old wounds keep reopening and seem to be far from settled.