The question of which country is older, Russia or Ukraine, is a complex and sensitive one, as it touches upon historical, political, and cultural aspects. Both Russia and Ukraine have long and intertwined histories, making it difficult to determine a clear answer.
The region that encompasses modern-day Ukraine has been inhabited for thousands of years by various Slavic, Turkic, and other indigenous peoples. Kyivan Rus, a medieval East Slavic state, was established in the 9th century and is often considered the predecessor of both Russia and Ukraine. Kyivan Rus was centred in present-day Ukraine but also extended into parts of Russia and Belarus.
Over time, the territories of Kyivan Rus fragmented into separate principalities, some of which eventually evolved into the Grand Duchy of Moscow, a precursor to modern Russia. Meanwhile, the western parts of the former Kyivan Rus territory saw the emergence of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland, among other states.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, the region experienced a series of conflicts, including invasions by the Mongols, Tatars, and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. These conflicts and the subsequent partitions of Poland-Lithuania led to the incorporation of Ukrainian territories into different empires, including the Russian Empire.
Ukraine's modern national identity began to form during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the rise of various Ukrainian nationalist and independence movements. Following the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the subsequent turmoil, Ukraine declared its independence from Russia and established the Ukrainian People's Republic in 1918.
However, the Ukrainian People's Republic faced significant challenges, including conflicts with both the Russian Bolsheviks and the Polish forces. Eventually, Ukraine was divided between the Soviet Union and Poland through various treaties and agreements.
During the Soviet era, Ukraine was a constituent republic of the Soviet Union, while Russia was also a part of the Soviet Union. Both countries existed within the framework of the larger Soviet state until the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. After the breakup, Ukraine declared independence once again, followed by Russia.
In summary, while the region that encompasses modern-day Ukraine has a longer historical lineage with the establishment of Kyivan Rus in the 9th century, the concept of a distinct Ukrainian state emerged more recently in the 20th century. Russia, on the other hand, has a longer continuous existence as a state entity, tracing its roots back to the Grand Duchy of Moscow and the subsequent formation of the Russian Empire.