Ukraine: “Ukrainians are pure Slavic, while Russians are ethnic mongrels”

A Ukrainian state agency for historic research has published factsheets claiming Ukrainians and Russians cannot be called brotherly nations, including one that states that Ukrainians are pureblood Slavs, while Russians count Ugro-Finnish tribes among their ancestors.

Nine arguments Russians Ukrainians

Argument #1: When Ukraine was born in Kyiv in the 9th century, Russia did not exist

In the 9th century AD a medieval state called Rus was formed with its center in Kyiv. For the next few-centuries, the name Rus was associated with a wider territory upon which the rule of Kievan princes was extended. But in the narrow meaning, the lands of Dnipro river basin around Kyiv were associated with the term Rus. The territory to the north-east where later on the Moscovian Princedome was formed was then called “Zalissya”. The imperial ambitions of Russia aroused [sic] much later. Ukraine must not fall victim to the morbid whim of the neighbor!

Kyiv founded Russia did not exist

This argument had also been put forward by the U.S. Embassy in Kiev.

Argument #2: Ukraine and Russia developed under different historical conditions and under the influence of different neighbors

UKRAINE AND RUSSIA DEVELOPED UNDER DIFFERENT HISTORICAL CONDITIONS AND UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT NEIGHBORS.

“The origins of all Ukrainian, Russian, Belarusian and, to a large extent, Lithuanian peoples are in medieval Russia. However, their establishment in the following centuries took place under different historical conditions. This fact identified significant cultural, political, and ideological differences, as well as individual languages, in particular Ukrainian and Russian.

“The northeastern lands of former Russia became part of the Mongol Golden Horde. The formation of the political culture of the Moscow principality was decisively influenced by the Horde’s orders and traditions with the exaltation of the ruler and a complete obedience to him, absolute domination of the state, lack of private land ownership and communal rules.”

Ukraine Russia different history

The Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance released the arguments making the case for a deep historic difference between the Ukrainians and Russians. The cards were posted on the institute’s official social media accounts.

Argument #3: Ukraine is a country of democratic traditions

UKRAINE IS A COUNTRY OF DEMOCRATIC TRADITIONS

After the Mongol invasion in the 13th century, the historical destinies of the territory of modern Ukraine and Russia finally diverged. Ukrainian territories continued to‘develop in line with the European context. Democracy, self-government and European law, religious tolerance, respect for private property. This determined the political culture of the inhabitants. Most of these features persisted in the Cossack state – the Hetmanate.

Argument #4: Ukraine is a not a “younger brother”

Communist propaganda formed clear patterns for considering the history of Ukraine. First of all, it was to be an appendage of Russian history. Historical events in Ukraine were to duplicate Rusatan processes, but at the same time they were to be less large-scale, secondary. But this propaganda had nothing to do with the reality.

Argument #5: Ukraine is a European country

Russian propaganda emphasizes the friendship of nations, the united struggle, enemy, ‘which interferes with Ukraine and Russia being together. But there is no enemy. There is a clearer choice [for] Ukrainians — to be in Europe.

Argument #6: Ukrainian culture is unique and self-sufficient

In the patterns of Russian propaganda, the most important things in the activities of Ukrainian artists were to be their friendship with Russian masters and focus on Russian models. Everything that did not fit into these patterns was either marginalized or openly discredited. But Ukrainians are free in their creative choice and have never supported the ideology of the “Russian world”.

Argument #7: Myths about “brotherly peoples” or “the one people” are completely artifical

The concept of “fraternal peoples” is a sick creation of Soviet propaganda to replace the Russian imperial concept of the “triune people.” It is an attempt to bind by force Ukrainian history to Russian history and deny the right of Ukrainians and Belarusians to make their own historical choices. After Euromaidan, it completely lost its sense. Today, in order to explain and justify the aggression against the Ukrainian people, Kreml’s propaganda has begun to speak of “the one people”. They also mention the protection of Orthodoxy because Russia recognizes only the Moscow Patriarchate. But we are not the one people, and we have never been.

Argument #8: Ukraine does not depend on Russia.

UKRAINE DOES NOT DEPEND ON RUSSIA.
AS IF, RUSSIA DIDN’T WANT TO

Ukrainians quickly threw off the yoke of energy dependence. Russia could not chain us to the gas pipes. The annexation of Crimea and the happenigns of the East have also significantly collapsed the level of good attitude towards Russia. Russian propagandists have known for a long time that connections between the states are broken. So they always invented myths about why we have to “be together” as a “younger brother”. But Ukraine is independent!

Argument #9: Ukrainians and Russians have different origin

UKRAINIANS AND RUSSIANS HAVE DIFFERENT ORIGIN

Ukrainians originate from the Slavic tribes. The Russian nation was formed to a large extent through mixing also the Slavic nations with Ugro-Finnish tribes: Muroma, Mernia, Wes, Meshchera, Moksha, Perm, Narova, and others. What is there to say. There are many theories. But all of them are taken to that visible to the naked eye. We are farmers. All our songs are honest – we sing what we feel. We celebrate the hosts in our carols and Christmas songs, unlike nomads-russian. They glorify the king and even threaten in folklore: «He who does not give a cake, we will hit the forehead, he who does not give a coin, we will break his neck». But with
Ukrainians, it won’t work anymore.

Source: https://twitter.com/uinp_gov_ua