History of Romanians in Ukraine in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: June 18, 2024

This article delves into the history of Romanians in Ukraine, encompassing those residing in Northern Bukovina, Zakarpattia, Hertsa, and Budjak. It also acknowledges the Romanophone population between the Dniester and Southern Buh Rivers, who, despite not inhabiting a Romanian state, are considered native to Ukraine. The article further highlights the debate surrounding Moldovans' ethnic identity, questioning their classification as a distinct group or part of the larger Romanian ethnicity.

1905: Russification Policies Implemented

In 1905, Russification policies were implemented in Ukraine, phasing out the public use of Romanian and replacing it with Russian.

1918: Ukraine Proclaims Sovereignty and Regions Unite with Romania

At the end of World War I in 1918, the Directory of Ukraine declared sovereignty over the left bank of the Dneister, while Bukovina and Bessarabia united with the Kingdom of Romania.

1922: Formation of the Ukrainian SSR

Following the Russian Civil War, the Ukrainian SSR was established in 1922.

October 1924: Moldavian ASSR Established within Ukrainian SSR

On October 12, 1924, the Moldavian Autonomous Oblast, founded by Grigory Kotovsky under Moscow's backing, transitioned into the Moldavian ASSR, a part of the Ukrainian SSR.

1940: Romania Recaptured Soviet Territories

Romanian dictator Antonescu, allied with Nazi Germany, retook territories previously occupied by the Soviets in 1940.

1940: Romania Cedes Territories to the USSR

Under pressure from a Soviet ultimatum and influence from Italy and Germany, Romania ceded Bessarabia and Bukovina to the USSR in 1940.

1944: Soviets Recapture Territory

The Soviets recaptured the area in 1944.

1956: Persecution of Romanians in Ukraine and Russification Laws

Until 1956, following the annexation, the Romanian population in Ukraine faced persecution based on their ethnicity, leading to the reimposition of Russification laws.

1989: Soviet Census Data on Romanian Speakers in Ukraine

The 1989 Soviet census recorded 134,825 Romanians and 324,525 Moldovans in Ukraine, constituting just under one percent of the total population, with a significant concentration in Chernivtsi.

June 1997: Romania and Ukraine Sign Treaty Protecting Minority Rights

In June 1997, Romania and Ukraine signed a treaty guaranteeing the rights of Romanians in Ukraine and Ukrainians in Romania, including provisions for Romanian language education and media.

2014: Forced Ukrainization of Romanians in Ukraine

Since 2014, there have been reports of forced Ukrainization of Romanians in Ukraine, a move criticized by Romanian authorities and deemed cultural genocide by some Romanian organizations in Ukraine.

2015: U.S. Census Data on Romanian and Ukrainian Diaspora

In 2015, the U.S. Census Bureau reported 1,438 ethnic Romanians born in Ukraine residing in the United States, compared to 237,809 ethnic Ukrainians born in Ukraine.

2015: Reports of Romanian Autonomy Demands in Bukovina Emerge

Reports circulated in 2015, later deemed false, about a "Assembly of the Romanians of Bukovina" demanding autonomy from Ukraine.

September 2017: Limited Romanian Language Education in Ukraine

As of September 28, 2017, the Ukrainian education system restricted Romanian language instruction to separate language and literature classes after four years of schooling.

2022: Ukrainian Parliament Passes Laws Protecting Minority Rights

In 2022, the Ukrainian Parliament passed laws to protect the rights of "national minorities," including provisions for using minority languages in public events and media.

2023: Ukrainian Parliament Amends Laws Protecting Minority Rights

The Ukrainian Parliament amended laws in 2023 to further strengthen the rights of "national minorities," including language use in public and cultural spheres.