In a recent article, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Ukrainians and Russians were one people: a controversial claim given recent relations between the two countries. In a long article Putin made several claims based on his very singular interpretation of history, which included that Ukrainians and Russians are “one people” from one historic country.  Yet Vladimir Putin’s essay rewrites key moments, distorts historical context and omits inconvenient realities. It is clear that Putin’s foray into history writing is erring more on the side of historical fiction rather than fact. Missing the fork in the road Of course, Russia and Ukraine do share the same historical and spiritual origins. Both nations share the same tribal roots in the House of Rurikid – founded by the Varangian Prince Rurik in 862.  What Putin’s article ignores is that whilst these people shared the same language and culture, over the centuries that followed the Kievan-Rus federation’s collapse in 1240, their...