Welcome to the inquiry with me, Tanya Beckett.

One question, four expert witnesses and an answer.

It was in some ways a rather strange and rambling piece of writing

that appeared last year on the Russian government's website.

In some six thousand words it gave what in some places

was a very detailed account of many centuries

of the joint history of Russia and Ukraine.

A central claim was that the countries of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus

belonged together as a single ancient Slavic state

and that at the start of last century Ukraine had invented itself

as a fictitious country.

The essay would probably have attracted little attention

if it wasn't for its author.

Russia's president Vladimir Putin.

So this week on the inquiry we're asking

does Putin's view of history explain why he invaded Ukraine?

Part one, the State of Ruth.

Both Russia and Ukraine traced their origins

to an ancient state called Kievan Bruce

that emerged in the ninth century.

Interestingly it was actually founded by Vikings.

Over a thousand years ago tribes living in the lands

...