The recent conflict in Ukraine has once again raised questions about Ukraine’s history. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has not been shy about the reasons for his invasion of Ukraine, claiming that the country doesn’t even exist. He has argued that Ukraine is a creation of communist Russia and isn’t a real country. However, it’s worth exploring Ukraine’s history to understand why this conflict has arisen.
Ukraine is known for its numerous rivers, many of which flow from the northwest to the southeast and empty into the Black Sea or the Sea of Azov. The largest of these rivers is the Dnieper, which drains nearly half of the country and has a multitude of tributaries. The Black Sea Lowland and Crimea are also populated with small saline lakes. In addition, there are many artificial lakes, such as those in hydroelectric dams.
In addition to its natural beauty, Ukraine has an impressive range of activities and attractions. Visitors can go hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and snowboarding in the winter, while in the summer, the country is an ideal place for outdoor sports and activities. Other outdoor activities include scuba diving, paintball, and parachuting.
In addition to being the largest country in Europe, Ukraine is home to a number of religious communities. Although the majority of Ukrainians are Orthodox Christians, there are also many other religious groups. Ukraine is home to the Monastery of Caves on Berestov Mount, founded in 1051, and is considered to be one of the most important centers of Orthodox Christianity in Eastern Europe.
Despite Russia’s intentions to invade Ukraine, Ukrainian authorities have remained committed to keeping the country free from foreign aggression. Despite the many threats to its sovereignty, the Ukrainian government has the support of Europe and beyond. With the support of the EU, Ukraine’s international standing will surely be assured in the long term. In the meantime, the Ukrainian people remain hopeful that the situation will settle peacefully.
In the 1960s, the Soviet Union began to loosen its control over Ukraine. This allowed Ukrainian culture to flourish. But in the early 1970s, Soviet forces led by Brezhnev pursued a policy of deliberate Russification. Ukraine was considered a breadbasket for Eurasia. But the collectivization policies failed, and the Soviets blamed Ukrainian nationalists and agents funded by foreign nations.
Yushchenko’s government was ineffective and plagued by corruption. Then, a politician named Yanukovych came to power and governed with a focus on Russia. Ukraine’s economy was positioned towards Russia, which angered the population of western Ukraine. This provoked violent clashes between protestors and police.
Moscow is trying to convince Ukrainians that they want to live under Russian rule. There are credible reports of occupation authorities withholding aid until they accept Russian passports. Moreover, state propaganda outlets are portraying the lines of residents trying to get Russian passports as a voluntary gesture and pro-Kremlin statements.