The virtual exhibition aims to concisely give an overview of critical moments in Ukrainian history: the development of Ukraine's statehood, the sovietisation of Ukrainian society, the impact of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of 1939, the struggle of the Ukrainian people in World War Two, Ukrainian independence in 1991, and Russia's aggression in 2014-2022.

In 2014, Russian aggression against Ukraine began. Today, after eight years of war, the limits of the international community’s tolerance have been strongly tested. In the years since the annexation of Crimea, it has become clear that economic sanctions will not be able to overturn the plans of Vladimir Putin, who is increasingly ruling Russia as a dictator. Until direct military action was initiated in several regions of Ukraine on 24 February, there were noticeable tendencies towards the policy of non-recognition of the annexation of Crimea fading in a similar way to the non-recognition by the West of the occupation of the Baltic states during the Cold War. Russia’s sudden attack did not produce the expected results, and the Ukrainian state and people are fighting resolutely against the aggressor.

TO THE EXHIBITION

Estonian Institute of Historical Memory, 2022

Curator: Meelis Maripuu 

Compiled by: Meelis Maripuu, Aivar Niglas

Edited by: Toomas Hiio, Martin Andreller 

Translation: Refiner Translations OÜ, Elmar Gams, Marju Meschin 

Designer: Marko Poolamets