Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has instructed his government to consider renaming Russia “Moscovia,” an unofficial designation used centuries ago. The move comes after a petition insisted that by using the word “Russia,” Ukraine is endorsing a “dangerous claim” that its neighbor is a direct descendant of Kievan Rus.
In a statement on Friday, Zelensky said he had turned to Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmigal with a request for the “comprehensive processing” of the petition, which had gathered the necessary 25,000 votes to be considered.
The Ukrainian president added that the issue “needs to be carefully worked out both in terms of the historical and cultural context and from the perspective of possible international legal consequences,” with scientific institutions taking part in the process.