History of Russian-Ukrainian Relations

In spite of the fact that Russian-Ukrainian relations have lately become one of the key issues in contemporary international politics, this course will be devoted to the history of relations between Russia and Ukraine. This topic has a lot to offer and there are many aspects that still remain unclear and provoke a lot of discussions not only in society, but also among professional historians.

The early Middle Ages were characterized by joint development of Kiev and Novgorod lands, united by power, self-identification and common outlook. The following period was marked by the development of Ukrainian groups under the strong influence of Russia, Poland, and Austria, which shaped cultural peculiarities and social preferences of Ukrainians. The 17th century was a new stage in Eastern Ukrainian development as an integral part of the Moscow State and then the Russian Empire, while southwestern Ukrainian lands kept developing under the influence of other countries.

The 20th century turned out to be the most dramatic for both peoples. Two world wars, civil war, challenges of modernization — all these contributed to a growing number of contradictions when addressing problems of identity.

The course, aimed at graduate students, deals with the ethnic and cultural aspects of Russian and Ukrainian development as well as the formation of their social and political priorities and symbols. Understanding these phenomena will allow a better analysis and comprehension of the contemporary tension between Russia and Ukraine, which does not always reflect the mutual attitudes and values of both peoples.