Putin: Ukraine belongs to us and those who disagree are Russophobes

A rambling article entitled, “On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians’, written July 2021 for Vladimir Putin, was packed with references to ethno-cultural and geo-political developments over the centuries. It justified Russia’s intention to bring Ukraine back into its fold. Not surprisingly, it didn’t address the fervour of Ukrainians asserting their right to self-determination.

Exposing the innate nationalistic motive for the Kremlin’s current threatening stance aimed at Ukrainian sovereignty, the article stated: “When I was asked about Russian-Ukrainian relations, I said that Russians and Ukrainians were one people – a single whole. …. It is what I have said on numerous occasions and what I firmly believe. … For we are one people.”