A Brief History Of Ukraine (And Why Russia Wants To Control It)
Audio Brief
Show transcript
This episode covers the complex, millennium-long relationship between Ukraine and Russia, tracing its historical roots to understand current geopolitical tensions.
There are three key takeaways from this discussion. First, Russia views Kyiv as the cradle of its civilization, grounding its perspective in a shared history. Second, Ukraine's quest for sovereignty is forged by centuries of foreign rule and traumatic events like the Holodomor. Third, Ukraine's pivot toward Western alliances since the Soviet collapse fuels a geopolitical tug-of-war, perceived by Russia as a direct security threat.
The Kievan Rus', a medieval state centered in Kyiv, is considered the shared historical origin for modern Russians, Ukrainians, and Belarusians. Russia often leverages this shared heritage, portraying Kyiv as foundational to its own national identity and culture.
Ukraine has endured extensive periods under the influence or direct control of various foreign powers. Traumatic events, such as the Holodomor, a state-sponsored famine under Stalin, profoundly shaped a distinct Ukrainian national consciousness and its deep desire for self-determination.
The 2014 annexation of Crimea and the ongoing conflict are rooted in this historical struggle for sovereignty and security. Ukraine's pursuit of NATO and EU alignment is viewed by Russia as a direct encroachment on its sphere of influence, escalating long-standing historical tensions into modern warfare.
This deep historical context is essential for understanding the ongoing struggle over sovereignty, security, and competing historical claims defining the relationship today.
Episode Overview
- The video provides a historical overview of the complex relationship between Ukraine and Russia, tracing its roots back over a thousand years.
- It details Ukraine's long history of being under the influence or direct control of various powers, including the Kievan Rus', the Mongol Empire, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Russian Empire, and the Soviet Union.
- The summary explains how key historical events, such as the rise of Moscow, the Holodomor famine, and the transfer of Crimea, have shaped the distinct national identities and modern political tensions between the two nations.
- It culminates by connecting this deep-seated history to the unrest of the 21st century, including the 2014 annexation of Crimea and the ongoing conflict, framing it as a struggle over sovereignty, security, and historical claims.
Key Concepts
- Kievan Rus': The medieval state centered in Kyiv, considered the shared historical and cultural origin of modern-day Russians, Ukrainians, and Belarusians. Kyiv's historical role as the "mother of Rus' cities" is a central point of contention in Russia's modern narrative.
- Mongol Invasion: The 13th-century invasion that fractured the Kievan Rus' state, leading to its decline and creating a power vacuum that allowed the Grand Duchy of Moscow to rise and eventually become the center of a new Russian state.
- The Holodomor: A state-sponsored famine in Soviet Ukraine from 1932 to 1933, created by Joseph Stalin's government. Considered an act of genocide by Ukraine, it resulted in millions of deaths and remains a profound trauma in the Ukrainian national consciousness.
- Annexation of Crimea: Originally part of the Ottoman Empire, Crimea was annexed by Russia in 1783. It was transferred to the Ukrainian SSR in 1954 and then annexed again by the Russian Federation in 2014 following the Ukrainian Revolution of Dignity.
- NATO and EU Alignment: Ukraine's post-Soviet pursuit of closer ties with Western institutions, particularly NATO and the European Union, which Russia views as a direct threat to its security and sphere of influence.
Quotes
- At 01:07 - "A millennium ago, it was the heart of what is known as the Kievan Rus' state." - This quote establishes the deep historical significance of Kyiv as the origin point for the shared heritage of both Russia and Ukraine.
- At 04:26 - "In 1654, the Cossacks signed the Treaty of Pereyaslav with Tsar Alexis... This saw the Cossacks break with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and formally offer their allegiance to the Russian Tsar." - This highlights a pivotal moment where Ukrainian Cossacks aligned with Russia, a historical precedent that has been interpreted differently by both sides over the centuries.
- At 11:10 - "The point that the system as we knew it could no longer continue." - A quote from Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union, explaining that the Chernobyl disaster was a critical turning point that exposed the failings of the Soviet system and contributed to its eventual collapse.
Takeaways
- To understand the current conflict, one must recognize that Russia's perspective is deeply rooted in a shared millennium-long history, viewing Kyiv as the cradle of its own civilization and national identity.
- Ukraine's strong desire for sovereignty is shaped by a long history of foreign domination and traumatic events like the Holodomor, which reinforced a distinct national identity separate from Russia.
- The post-Soviet era has been defined by a geopolitical tug-of-war, where Ukraine's pivot towards Western alliances like NATO and the EU is perceived by Russia as a direct security threat, escalating historical tensions into modern warfare.
