JSPES, Vol. 34, No. 1 (Spring 2009)
pp. 23-70

The Making of Post-Soviet Ukraine

Ernest Raiklin

Formerly of the Herzen State Pedagogical University, St. Petersburg, Russia

Roughly estimated, Ukraine as a political entity has not been its own master for three-quarters of its existence since the 9th century. It became an independent state at the end of 1991 by breaking from the former Soviet Union and thus ceasing to be one of its republics. Since that time, it has been struggling to hold its newly acquired sovereignty and power over the country. This paper examines the conditions under which Ukraine’s struggle for the preservation of its independence and territorial integrity has been taking place.