Posted: October 30th, 2022

How the Ukraine-Russian War is a Reflection of Ancient Political Rivalry

How the Ukraine-Russian War is a Reflection of Ancient Political Rivalry

The war between Russia and Ukraine that began in 2014 and escalated in 2022 is not just a modern conflict, but a reflection of ancient political rivalry that dates back to the medieval era. The two countries share a common history, culture, religion and language, but also have divergent interests, identities and aspirations. This blog post will explore the historical roots of the Ukraine-Russian war, the causes and consequences of the current crisis, and the possible ways to resolve it.

Historical Background

Ukraine and Russia are both descendants of the Kievan Rus, a medieval state that existed from the 9th to the 13th centuries and encompassed much of Eastern Europe. The Kievan Rus was ruled by a dynasty of princes who were related by blood or marriage, but also competed for power and territory. The state was divided into several principalities, each with its own political, economic and cultural characteristics. Some of these principalities were more oriented towards the West, such as Galicia-Volhynia, while others were more influenced by the East, such as Novgorod and Vladimir-Suzdal.

The Mongol invasion of the 13th century shattered the unity of the Kievan Rus and led to its decline. The western principalities fell under the control of Poland-Lithuania, while the eastern ones became vassals of the Mongol Golden Horde. In the 14th and 15th centuries, a new power emerged in the northeast: Muscovy, which claimed to be the successor of the Kievan Rus and the defender of Orthodox Christianity. Muscovy gradually expanded its territory and influence, absorbing other Russian principalities and eventually liberating itself from the Mongol yoke.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, Muscovy transformed into Russia, a centralized and autocratic empire that sought to dominate its neighbors. Ukraine, which had preserved its autonomy under Poland-Lithuania, resisted Russian encroachment and fought for its independence. In 1648-1654, a popular uprising led by Cossack leader Bohdan Khmelnytsky resulted in the creation of a Ukrainian state that allied itself with Russia against Poland. However, this alliance soon turned sour, as Russia imposed its control over Ukraine and violated its rights and freedoms. In 1658-1686, Ukraine switched sides and joined Poland-Lithuania in a war against Russia. This war ended with the Treaty of Andrusovo, which divided Ukraine along the Dnieper River: the left bank went to Russia, while the right bank remained under Poland-Lithuania.

The division of Ukraine was not permanent, as both Russia and Poland-Lithuania continued to compete for its lands and people. In the 18th century, Russia gained the upper hand and annexed most of Ukraine through a series of wars and partitions. The only exception was Galicia, which became part of Austria-Hungary. Russia also tried to assimilate Ukraine into its culture and identity, suppressing its language, religion and traditions. However, Ukraine did not lose its sense of nationhood and developed a national movement that sought to restore its sovereignty and dignity.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Ukraine experienced several periods of liberation and oppression. During the Napoleonic Wars, some Ukrainians fought for France against Russia. During World War I, some Ukrainians fought for Austria-Hungary against Russia. After the collapse of both empires in 1917-1918, Ukraine declared its independence and fought a war against Soviet Russia and other enemies. However, this independence was short-lived, as Ukraine was incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1922. Under Soviet rule, Ukraine suffered from famine, repression and Russification. During World War II, some Ukrainians collaborated with Nazi Germany against Soviet Russia. After the war, Ukraine became a founding member of the United Nations and one of the most populous and industrialized republics of the Soviet Union. However, it also faced discrimination, exploitation and nuclear disaster.

In 1991, following a referendum in which over 90% of Ukrainians voted for independence, Ukraine broke away from the Soviet Union and became a sovereign state. However, this did not end its problems or conflicts with Russia. On one hand, The Conflict Between Ukraine and Russia: A Historical Perspective

Ukraine’s struggle for independence from Russia has a long and complex history that dates back to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. In this blog post, we will explore some of the key events and factors that have shaped the current conflict between the two countries, and the challenges and opportunities for peace in the region.

The Breakup of the Soviet Union and the Birth of Ukraine

In 1991, following a referendum in which over 90% of Ukrainians voted for independence, Ukraine broke away from the Soviet Union and became a sovereign state. However, this did not end its problems or conflicts with Russia. On one hand, Ukraine inherited a large Russian-speaking minority, especially in the eastern and southern regions of Crimea and Donbas, where many people felt closer ties to Moscow than to Kyiv. On the other hand, Ukraine also inherited a large stockpile of nuclear weapons, which made it a target of international pressure to disarm and join the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Russia agreed to respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty in exchange for its nuclear disarmament, as part of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum.

The Orange Revolution and the Euromaidan Protests

In 2004, Ukraine experienced a political crisis known as the Orange Revolution, when mass protests erupted against the fraudulent presidential election that favored Viktor Yanukovych, a pro-Russian candidate. The Supreme Court annulled the results and ordered a new vote, which was won by Viktor Yushchenko, a pro-Western candidate. However, Yushchenko’s presidency was marred by corruption scandals, economic decline, and political infighting. In 2010, Yanukovych returned to power with a narrow victory over Yulia Tymoshenko, a former ally of Yushchenko.

In 2013, Yanukovych sparked another wave of protests when he abruptly rejected a landmark association agreement with the European Union (EU), opting instead for closer ties with Russia. The protests, known as the Euromaidan or the Revolution of Dignity, escalated into violent clashes between the security forces and the demonstrators, resulting in over 100 deaths. In February 2014, Yanukovych fled the country amid mounting pressure from the opposition and the international community. A new interim government was formed, led by Oleksandr Turchynov as acting president and Arseniy Yatsenyuk as prime minister.

The Annexation of Crimea and the War in Donbas

Shortly after Yanukovych’s ouster, Russia intervened in Ukraine’s internal affairs by sending unmarked troops and supporting local militias to seize control of Crimea, a strategic peninsula on the Black Sea that hosts Russia’s naval base in Sevastopol. In March 2014, Russia organized a controversial referendum in Crimea, in which over 95% of voters allegedly supported joining Russia. The international community condemned the annexation as illegal and imposed sanctions on Russia and its allies.

Meanwhile, in eastern Ukraine, pro-Russian separatists declared independence in two regions: Donetsk and Luhansk, collectively known as Donbas. They received military and financial support from Russia, which denied any direct involvement in the conflict. The Ukrainian government launched an anti-terrorist operation (ATO) to restore its authority in Donbas, but faced fierce resistance from the rebels and their Russian backers. A series of ceasefires and peace agreements were brokered by France, Germany, Ukraine, and Russia (the Normandy Format), but they failed to stop the violence or resolve the political issues. According to the UN, more than 13,000 people have been killed and over 1.5 million displaced by the war in Donbas since 2014.

The Zelenskyy Presidency and the Renewed Tensions

In 2019, Ukraine elected Volodymyr Zelenskyy as its new president, a former comedian and political novice who campaigned on ending the war in Donbas and fighting corruption. Zelenskyy initiated a prisoner swap with Russia and held his first face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin in Paris in December 2019. They agreed to implement a full ceasefire and withdraw heavy weapons from the front line, but little progress was made on other aspects of the peace process.

In early 2021, tensions flared up again as both sides accused each other of violating the ceasefire and escalating their military presence along the border. In April 2021, Zelenskyy visited Donbas to show his support for the Ukrainian troops and called for more international pressure on Russia to end its aggression. He also proposed holding a summit with Putin in a neutral country to discuss ways to de-escalate the situation.

The Future of Ukraine-Russia Relations

The conflict between Ukraine and Russia is not only a bilateral issue, but also a regional and global one. It involves the interests and values of other actors, such as the EU, NATO, the US, and China. It also poses serious challenges and risks for the security, stability, and prosperity of Europe and beyond.

The resolution of the conflict requires a comprehensive and inclusive approach that addresses the root causes and the consequences of the crisis. It also requires a constructive dialogue and cooperation between all parties involved, based on respect for international law and human rights. The role of the international community is crucial in facilitating and supporting such a process, as well as in providing humanitarian and development assistance to the affected populations.

Works Cited

BBC News. “War in Ukraine.” BBC News, 2021, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-60525350. Accessed 30 Oct. 2021.

Russo-Ukrainian War – Wikipedia. “Russo-Ukrainian War.” Wikipedia, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russo-Ukrainian_War. Accessed 30 Oct. 2021.

Ukraine in maps: Tracking the war with Russia – BBC News. “Ukraine in maps: Tracking the war with Russia.” BBC News, 2021, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60506682. Accessed 30 Oct. 2021.

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