In June 2021, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russians and Ukrainians were one people who shared a "single historic and spiritual space" and that the emergence of a "wall" between them in recent years was tragic. The lands of what are now Russia and Ukraine have been linked since the 9th century when Kyiv became the first capital of the Slavic state of Rus in 988, under its ruler Grand Prince Vladimir, Rus was officially converted to Orthodox Christianity. For months protesters organised mass rallies in Kiev, reaching 800,000-strong demonstrations by the end of 2013. Protests again erupted on the streets in 2013, when then-president Viktor Yanukovich’s government suddenly announced he was suspending trade and association talks with the European Union and was opting instead to revive economic ties with Moscow. The protests and election were the first sign of Ukraine pulling away from Russia’s influence and flirting with closer alignment with Europe. In 2004, Ukraine's presidential election led to mass protests, dubbed the “Orange Revolution.” After the Ukrainian Supreme Court voided the result and ordered a new vote, the country elected pro-European opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko. Ukraine has become the main flashpoint in Russia's relations with the West, but tensions began long before Crimea's 2014 annexation. Ukrainian service members at a rehearsal to hand over tanks, armoured personnel carriers and military vehicles to the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Kyiv, Ukraine, Dec. Press Service of the 92nd Separate Mechanised Brigade Ukrainian Defence Ministry Ukrainian Armed Forces take part in military drills in the Kharkiv region, Ukraine, Dec. Ukrainian Armed Forces near BM-21 "Grad" multiple rocket launchers during tactical military exercises in the Kherson region, Ukraine, Jan. Ukrainian service members at a rehearsal to hand over tanks, armoured personnel carriers and military vehicles to the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Kyiv, Ukraine, Dec.
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