ABSTRACT
Ukrainian-Russian relations are not a model example of good neighbourly relations; they are characterised by many tensions and misunderstandings. To a large extent, the reason for the misunderstandings between the two former Soviet republics is a different perception of the future of their states and the way in which their foreign policy is shaped. In the case of the Russian Federation, Russian external policy has been marked by a clear desire to maintain its leading position in the former USSR, which has often been argued as a need to protect vital Russian interests. In turn, it has become important for Ukraine to be able to shape its own destiny by freeing itself from Russian influence and orienting its policy towards cooperation with European structures. The aim of this article was to analyse Ukrainian-Russian relations as an example of a difficult neighbourhood in the context of the background for the Russian aggression against Ukraine in February 2022.
