[Reily]

Ukraine as Kievan Rus existed long before Russia.

[Jan_Sobieski]

Ukraine as Kievan Rus existed long before Russia.

Were it not for Katherine the Great most of Ukraine would still be an Ottoman Muslim Khanate. Once liberated, she invited Dutch and German anabaptists to settle and farm the land. These immigrants became the Kulaks.

[frithguild]

Not really. The Rurids essentially ceased their existence upon the arrival of the Mongols, except in Novgorod, which subjected itself to suzeranty and payment of tribute.