Are Ukrainians Russians?

[rashka]

I know that Ukraine comes from the slavic language "in the area" or "at the end" - something along those lines. Was that a name given to a certain ethnic group living where Ukraine is now or, was it a political (fake) name given to a people who were the same as Russians? Slavic history is always so fascinating.

Let's hear from some Slavs or some knowledgeable people in Slavic history!

[Breedingvariety]

Ukrainian language is very similar to Russian language. It could be called dialect. 50% of Ukrainian citizens speak Russian. Ukraine was formed as independent state just 20 years ago. They are Orthodox Christians (so religion isn't an issue). IMO, Ukraine should be region of Russia. Unless you want weaker Russia.

Or better, Ukraine divided between Poland and Russia, per interwar borders.

[Sultan Suleiman]

Ukraine is Ruthenia. The nexus for all east Slavic nations...

Calling Ruthenians/Ukrainians "little Russians" is fucking insane, because it's like calling Serbs Macedonians.

Russians are an offshoot nation from Ruthenia which even tough similarities evolved biologically (with assimilation of various tribes to some extent) and culturally in a completely different people.

[RoyBatty]

I know that Ukraine comes from the slavic language "in the area" or "at the end" - something along those lines. Was that a name given to a certain ethnic group living where Ukraine is now or, was it a political (fake) name given to a people who were the same as Russians? Slavic history is always so fascinating.

Let's hear from some Slavs or some knowledgeable people in Slavic history!

Western Ukrainians, not Russian.
Central Ukrainians (Kiev etc) not Russian.

Southern and Eastern Ukraine = Russian

[RoyBatty]

Ukrainian language is very similar to Russian language. It could be called dialect. 50% of Ukrainian citizens speak Russian. Ukraine was formed as independent state just 20 years ago. They are Orthodox Christians (so religion isn't an issue). IMO, Ukraine should be region of Russia. Unless you want weaker Russia.

Or better, Ukraine divided between Poland and Russia, per interwar borders.

Western Ukraine.... only a madman would want or take them.
Central Uke.... better to leave them dreaming about Ancient Ukrs and their ancient culture.

Southern and Eastern Ukraine = Russian though. up

[Demhat]

IMO, Ukraine should be region of Russia. Unless you want weaker Russia.

As if Russia isnt already big enough

[Veneda]

I know that Ukraine comes from the slavic language "in the area" or "at the end" - something along those lines.

From the linguistic point of view Ukraine means literally in Polish ‘land situated on the periphery’, in the context: on the periphery of Polish eastern borders. Ukrainian language is similar to Polish and Russian.

[rashka]

From the linguistic point of view Ukraine means literally in Polish ‘land situated on the periphery’, in the context: on the periphery of Polish eastern borders. Ukrainian language is similar to Polish and Russian.

Yes, similar to the Krajina region of Croatia. It is also using the root word "kraj" (krai) which means at the end or region/rim in Serbian.

From Proto-Slavic *krajь.

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/kraj#Serbo-Croatian

[Mordid]

Not at all, and a person would offend the hell out of many of them by calling them that. There is a large Russian population in areas of Ukraine (South and east), but if you go to a purely Ukranian part (especially in the west), you won't make any friends by telling them they're Russian.

[RoyBatty]

Not at all, and a person would offend the hell out of many of them by calling them that. There is a large Russian population in areas of Ukraine (South and east), but if you go to a purely Ukranian part (especially in the west), you won't make any friends by telling them they're Russian.

Imo Western Ukrainians are a different breed to the "standard Ukrainian". Western Ukrainian and Ukrainian aren't the same people.

In the same way that Ukrainians and Russians (living in what is today the State of Ukraine) aren't the same people.