The idea that Ukraine has always been part of Russia doesn't hold up when we look at the facts. For a long time, the areas we talk about had their own stories, separate from Russia's control. Let's break this down simply.
First, let's talk about The Treaty of Perpetual Peace, building on the Truce of Andrusovo from 1667, was a big deal with 33 parts. It made sure Russia kept control of an area called Left-bank Ukraine and even got the city of Kiev, which was on the right bank. Poland was supposed to get 146,000 rubles from Russia because they lost Left-bank Ukraine. Russia also gained control over places like the Zaporizhian Sich, Siverian lands, and cities including Chernihiv, Starodub, and Smolensk, while Poland kept Right-bank Ukraine. Both countries promised they wouldn't make their own deals with the Ottoman Empire. With this treaty, Russia joined a group against the Ottoman Empire, which included Poland–Lithuania, the Holy Roman Empire, and Venice. Russia agreed to fight against the Crimean Khanate, leading to a war with Turkey that lasted from 1686 to 1700.
Although this treaty was a big win for Russia, many people in Poland-Lithuania didn't like it. It took a long time, until 1710, for their parliament to officially agree to it, and some people still question if that agreement was legally okay. A historian named Jacek Staszewski said it wasn't fully approved by their parliament until much later, in 1764.
Late 1700s: When Poland-Lithuania, a big player in Europe, started losing its power. Russia was calling the shots, even picking who would rule Poland-Lithuania. It was kind of like Russia was the boss, and Poland-Lithuania was following orders.
Then things really changed with the First Partition of Poland in 1772. This happened because Europe's big countries were moving around, trying to grab more power. Russia was getting stronger from fights with the Ottoman Empire, which scared some of the other big countries like Austria.
France, trying to keep things balanced, suggested that everyone just move some borders around without hurting the Ottoman Empire too much. But then, Frederick II of Prussia didn't want to give up his new lands but also didn't want to fight everyone. So, he came up with a plan to share parts of Poland-Lithuania between Prussia, Russia, and Austria instead of fighting over other places.
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