What is Ukraine?
So, who are the Ukrainians? We are peaceful farmers who have lived on this land for thousands of years. We have a deep and ancient culture. We are often too patient and too trusting, but we will not give up.
One of the first names of the Ukrainian state is Kyivan Rus’. It was founded in the IX century and maintained close contacts with Europe.
After the decline of Kyivan Rus’, Ukrainian culture developed under the auspices of the Ukrainian Cossack State.
Meanwhile, to the east of the Ukrainian lands strengthened the Moscow Empire, which arose in the middle of deaf forests and swamps in 1272.
Moscow Kingdom, Muscovy was the name of the country before Tsar Peter I. He took advantage of the victory over the Ukrainian Zaporozhian Cossacks and proclaimed himself emperor in 1721. Tsar ordered to call Muscovy a Russia (Rus’), to steal the history of the neighboring people and great Rus’.
Although after the decline of the Cossack state, Ukraine was divided between two neighboring empires (Austrian and Russian), we have always been united by language, culture, and traditions. Thanks to them, Ukrainians in both empires continued to identify themselves as Ukrainians.
We took advantage of the events in Europe and tried to create our own state, when in 1919 two young Ukrainian republics — ZUNR and UPR — united. But then we were too weak to save her.
From the beginning of the existence of the Soviets in the Ukrainian territories began an era of terror and inhuman suffering to which the world turned a blind eye only because the Soviet Union was the winner in World War II.
The Holodomor of 1932–1933 was the worst in those lands where hybrid “DNR” and “LNR” formations are now, when communists took all food from people, people died of starvation, went mad from hunger and ate their own children. It was a deliberate genocide of the Ukrainian people.
When the Holodomor ended, the Soviets relocated thousands of people from the depths of Russia to these lands.
Throughout the existence of the Soviet Union, сonscious Ukrainians were constantly killed and sent to camps that were no better than the nazis. Almost every Ukrainian has ancestors who survived either the Holodomor or the camps. But the world closed its eyes, and Ukrainians had no voice.
In 1991, we gained our independence. But then we were so weak, helpless, timid. Like the children of the abuser, who are afraid to take a step, are afraid to say a word, because punishment will come.
Over the years of independence, we have become stronger. We know who we are. We are united by a common culture, history and, most importantly, values. Values we are not afraid to die for. Democratic values we have in common with the whole civilized world. Glory to Ukraine! Slava Ukraini!
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