David Barnett - The History of Ukraine: A Guide to this Fascinating Country--Covering Chernobyl, the Crimean War, Russia, Volodymyr Zelensky, and Much More

The History of Ukraine: A Guide to this Fascinating Country - Covering Chernobyl, the Crimean War, Russia, Volodymyr Zelensky, and Much More

By David Barnett

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Introduction

U kraine is a country with a rich history dating back to its prehistoric years. The territory that is known as present-day Ukraine had been inhabited since 32,000 BC. Over the years, it has become a nation where Eastern Slavic culture began to take shape.

In the years leading up to their independence, the country of Ukraine had struggled to maintain its own identity. It started with the Kievan Rus federation, which lasted nearly two centuries before its collapse.

In the next few centuries, the territory of Ukraine was often disputed and ruled over by many powers and entities. When the Russian Revolution took shape, Ukrainians were beginning to make their intent of becoming an independent nation known. Thus, the Ukrainian Peoples Republic had been formed around the same time when the Soviet Union was coming together.

Eventually, Ukraine became part of the Soviet Union itself. It would also be known as one of the heaviest industrialized republics (rivaling their Russian counterparts). Ukraine would remain part of this multi-republic giant until the collapse of 1991.

After the Soviet Unions collapse, Ukraine became one of the many countries known as the Commonwealth of Independent Nations (CIS). Finally, Ukraine had finally become its own nation after centuries of trying to form its own identity.

After it finally became a nation of its own, Ukraine began to enjoy the fruits of their hard work paying off. Their economy was growing, a new constitution was enacted, and their own government was formed.

At the same time, it was also looking to wipe the slate clean, further disassociating itself from its Soviet past. This included completely disarming themselves as a nuclear power. At one point in time, nuclear had one of the largest nuclear weapon stockpiles in the entire world.

Even though Ukraine enjoyed their high points as a nation, it was not without its share of problems. In 2004, the Orange Revolution brought controversy to the election process and whether or not the elections in the country were fair. Corruption was soon becoming a problem in a country that had finally become its own amid years of control from various powers.

As the 2000s moved ahead, Ukraine was facing its own financial crisis. At one point, the economy had shrunk to nearly 15 percent. That wasnt the worst of it.

Soon, Ukraine would get into regular disputes with Russia regarding natural gas. Twice, the Russians had briefly suspended gas supplies to the country (in 2006 and 2009). As a result, it also affected many European countries that relied on gas and oil coming from Russia.

Under the presidency of Viktor Yanukovych, Ukraine was in the process of being an ally to Russia as opposed to associating itself with NATO and the European Union. This further angered many Ukrainian citizens, citing Russias authoritarianism under Vladimir Putin.

Putin was more aligned with totalitarian powers including China and Iran. However, the people wanted freedom and found that Ukraines alliance with the West would galvanize it. Not everyone in Ukraine was in support of this association.

Specifically, the ethnic Russians residing in Crimea and eastern regions of Ukraine that bordered Russia were in support of Ukraines alliance with Russia. This gave rise to what is known as the Euromaidan protests, which started in November 2013. Up until February 2014, there had been protests in which many ended up being violent, leading to the loss of several lives.

On March 18 of 2014, the Russian Federation had annexed the Crimean peninsula, once again placing it under their control since the Soviet Union era. After Euromaidan, the tensions between Ukraine and Russia continued. As a result, two regions of UkraineDonetsk and Luganskbecame their own breakaway republics.

Ukraine and Russia would work out deals that called for ceasefires between the country and separatists that were backed by the Russian government. Later that year, the Ukraine-European Union Association Agreement became one of the first major steps in allowing Ukraine to join the European Union.

Then-president Petro Poroshenko was aiming for Ukraine to officially join the EU by 2020. However, current Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made the application process official in February 2022, off the heels of its invasion by Russia.

U kraine is the second largest country in Europe in terms of area. It is second only to Russia, its eastern neighbor, which is the largest country in the continent (and the world). Compared to the rest of the globe, Ukraine is the 45th largest country in terms of area.

Currently, nearly 80 percent of the population in Ukraine are of Ukrainian descent, while nearly 18 percent are ethnic Russians (many of them living in the eastern half of the country).

Their official language is Ukrainian, but they also recognize several regional languages that are spoken throughout the entire country. At least 90 percent of Ukrainians belong to the Christian religion where the remaining 10 percent are either affiliated with other religions or non-religious.

The capital city is Kyiv. It was originally formed in 879 as Kievan Rus. It later became known under many identities from the 12th century until its formation as an independent nation in 1991.

The current President of Ukraine is Volodymyr Zelensky and the Prime Minister is Denys Shmyhal. The Ukrainian Government operates in the same structure as many Western governments with three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial).

Excluding the Crimea region, there are approximately 41 million that live in Ukraine. This is down from 7 million from a previous census that was completed in 2001. Its GDP is nearly $585 billion, which is the 48th largest in the globe.