Russian Officials Backlash Ukrainian Petition For Renaming Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy allegedly instructed Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal to cautiously consider renaming Russia to Muscovy.

A Ukrainian petition regarding a potential name change gained 25 thousand signatures and stirred up backlash from Russian officials.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy allegedly instructed Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal to cautiously consider renaming Russia to Muscovy accounting for consequences under international law and whether it was possible in historical and cultural contexts.

A Russian foreign ministry spokesperson said that Zelensky is attempting to create an “Anti-Russia Ukraine”.

The petition notes that the name ‘Muscovy’ appeared on many historical maps of the 16th and 19th centuries which were produced in Europe before and after the renaming of the Muscovite Empire to the All-Russian Empire.

Russian officials objected to Ukraine’s talk of changing Russia’s official name.