As President Putin’s forces lay siege to Ukraine’s cities, the spirit and determination of its people have grabbed the world's attention. But for all the coverage of war, the culture and history of this nation is unknown to many.
In his rambling speech on the eve of invasion Putin claimed that Ukraine, the second biggest country in Europe, was “historically Russian land” that is now controlled by the West. In reality historians can point to myriad differences and a rich history that is both intertwined and distinct.
This is one of the key cultural differences between Ukraine and Russia, exemplified by the Ukrainian pronunciation of their capital: kee-yiv rather than the Russian version, kee-yev.
Dr Olesya Khromeychuk, director of the Ukrainian Institute in London, said:
