Russia and Ukraine: A History of Brotherhood, Betrayal, and War- The conflict between Russia and Ukraine did not emerge overnight. Its roots stretch back centuries, woven into the story of empires, revolutions, and shifting borders. What began as a shared history between Slavic peoples eventually hardened into rivalry, suspicion, and open war. Today’s conflict—sparked in 2014 with Crimea’s annexation and reignited in 2022 with Russia’s full-scale invasion—is the culmination of a long and troubled relationship.
To understand why peace remains so distant, one must look back at the timeline of Russia and Ukraine’s entangled past.
Ancient & Medieval Foundations
9th Century – The Kyivan Rus’
Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, was once the heart of the Kyivan Rus’, a medieval Slavic state that laid the cultural and religious foundations for modern Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. Christianity was adopted in 988 CE under Prince Volodymyr the Great, shaping the Orthodox faith that still influences the region.
13th Century – Mongol Invasions
The Mongol conquest in the 1240s shattered the Rus’. Moscow rose later as a regional power, while Ukrainian lands fell under the influence of neighboring states such as Poland and Lithuania.
Imperial Eras
17th Century – The Cossack Hetmanate
Ukrainian Cossacks established a semi-independent state but soon came under Russian control after the 1654 Treaty of Pereyaslav, which Moscow interprets as Ukraine “rejoining” Russia. Ukrainians, however, viewed it as an alliance, not submission—an early example of clashing interpretations that echo today.
18th–19th Centuries – Russification
The Russian Empire gradually absorbed Ukrainian territories, suppressing the Ukrainian language and culture. By the 19th century, policies of Russification sought to erase Ukrainian identity, though a national revival began to stir among intellectuals and peasants alike.
20th Century Upheavals
1917–1921 – Revolution and Short-Lived Independence
After the Russian Empire collapsed in the 1917 Revolution, Ukraine declared independence. However, the fledgling Ukrainian People’s Republic was crushed by Bolshevik forces, and by 1922, Ukraine was absorbed into the newly formed Soviet Union.
1932–1933 – The Holodomor
One of Ukraine’s darkest chapters came under Joseph Stalin. Forced collectivization led to a man-made famine, the Holodomor, which killed millions of Ukrainians. Many see it as a deliberate act of genocide to break Ukrainian resistance.
1941–1945 – World War II
Ukraine became a major battlefield between Nazi Germany and the USSR. Millions of Ukrainians fought in the Red Army, while others resisted Soviet rule or collaborated with Germany. By the war’s end, Ukraine was devastated, but once again tightly bound to Moscow.
The Road to Independence
1986 – Chernobyl Disaster
The nuclear disaster at Chernobyl, northern Ukraine, exposed the failures of Soviet governance. The mishandling of the crisis fueled resentment toward Moscow.
1991 – Independence Declared
As the Soviet Union collapsed, Ukraine declared independence on August 24, 1991. A December referendum confirmed it, with over 90% voting in favor. Russia formally recognized Ukraine’s sovereignty, but tensions over identity, language, and borders lingered.
Post-Soviet Tensions
1994 – Budapest Memorandum
Ukraine gave up its Soviet-era nuclear arsenal—the world’s third largest—in exchange for security guarantees from Russia, the U.S., and the U.K. Ironically, Russia itself would later violate this agreement.
2004 – The Orange Revolution
After a rigged election favoring pro-Russian candidate Viktor Yanukovych, mass protests broke out. The Orange Revolution forced a new vote, which brought pro-Western Viktor Yushchenko to power.
2010 – Yanukovych Returns
Yanukovych made a comeback, winning the presidency in 2010. He pursued closer ties with Russia while stalling on integration with Europe.
The Modern War Timeline
2013 – Euromaidan Protests
When Yanukovych rejected an EU association deal in November 2013, Ukrainians flooded Kyiv’s Independence Square (Maidan). By February 2014, violent crackdowns left over 100 dead. Yanukovych fled to Russia, and a new pro-Western government took power.
March 2014 – Crimea Annexation
Taking advantage of the turmoil, Russia annexed Crimea on March 18, 2014, citing a disputed referendum. This marked the first forcible change of European borders since WWII.
April 2014 – War in Donbas
Pro-Russian separatists, backed by Moscow, launched uprisings in Donetsk and Luhansk. A grinding war followed, killing over 14,000 people before 2022.
2014 & 2015 – Minsk Agreements
Ceasefire deals brokered in Belarus sought to end the Donbas conflict. Neither side fully implemented them, leaving a “frozen conflict” that simmered for years.
2022 – Full-Scale Invasion
On February 24, 2022, Vladimir Putin launched a massive invasion of Ukraine, calling it a “special military operation.” Russian troops attacked Kyiv, Kharkiv, and southern Ukraine, expecting a quick victory. Instead, Ukrainian resistance stunned the world.
2022–2023 – Shifting Frontlines
Russia initially seized large swaths of territory but was pushed back around Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Kherson. Western nations supplied Ukraine with weapons, while sanctions crippled Russia’s economy.
2024–2025 – Stalemate and Escalation
By 2024, the war had settled into attritional fighting. Drone warfare, artillery duels, and global political realignments kept the war alive. Peace talks remained elusive, as neither side was willing to concede core demands.
Why Peace Remains Out of Reach
The Russia-Ukraine war is more than a territorial struggle—it is a clash over identity, sovereignty, and history.
For Russia, Ukraine is seen as part of its historic sphere of influence, essential to its national security and imperial identity.
For Ukraine, independence means breaking free from centuries of domination and embracing a European, democratic future.
Like the hostages in Gaza’s conflict, Ukraine itself has become a hostage of geopolitics—caught between Russian ambitions and Western security guarantees.
Conclusion: A Cycle of Brotherhood and Betrayal
For centuries, Russians and Ukrainians shared religion, culture, and family ties. Yet their history has also been one of betrayal—broken promises, suppression, and now open war.
The lesson of this long timeline is sobering: peace has always been fragile because each side interprets history differently. To Moscow, Ukraine is inseparable from Russia’s destiny. To Kyiv, independence is non-negotiable.
Until those opposing visions reconcile, Ukraine will remain on the frontline of Europe’s bloodiest conflict in decades—an ancient land still fighting for the right to define its own future.
