An anniversary to mark the Christianisation of Russia – or ‘Rus’, as it used to be known – 1,025 years ago has been stirring tensions in Ukraine’s capital. This comes on the eve of a two-day visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Anti-Russian Ukrainian nationalists have been gathering outside the Russian embassy in Kiev demonstrating their dissatisfaction with Moscow’s policies toward their country. The visit is, on one level, to celebrate a joint Christian heritage. But Putin is also keen on creating a gas transport consortium and on persuading Ukraine to participate in a Customs Union which currently includes Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. This is in contrast to Ukraine’s drive to join the European Union.
