Yes, originally the Ukrainians are the same Russians of course. But some part of these ancient Russians have gradually changed, mentally and spiritually, under the long-time and mostly forcible religious (Vatican-->Catholics-->Uniats) western influence and sometimes even terror, which has been happening during several centuries in the western parts of what is now became Ukraine. I personally tend to agree with those experts in Russian history who are stating that the spiritual gap between the so called "western Ukrainians" and "eastern" ones (who simply remain to be same ethnic Russians despite the fact of their Ukrainian passports and living on the currently Ukrainian territory) is too deep and the problem thus remains unsolvable, at least in the near future. "Thanks" to Ukrainian ultra-nationalists...And after the blood was spilled, the problem became truly a deadlock between "west" and "east" of former Ukraine. There are many interesting researches dedicated to Russia/Ukraine relationships, including national and religious problem.