The topic of Ukrainian statehood, the national identity of Ukrainians, their role in the history of Eastern Europe has become, after 2014, one of the most pressing not only in Ukraine, but also in Russia and the world. Why does the Russian-Ukrainian conflict have such a strong impact on the world community? What distinguishes Ukrainians from Russians? How did the idea of Ukrainian independence arise, what was it built on, and how did it win? The title of the book, “The Gates of Europe,” is one of the keys to answering these questions. The famous Ukrainian and American historian Sergei Plokhy, an attentive and caring researcher, suggests looking at the history of Ukraine primarily as the history of its lands, where the decisive role was played not so much by politics as by geography, ecology and culture. The special role of the border territory, which since the time of Herodotus has served either as a bridge or as a barrier for trade, cultural and military interventions, largely explains the reasons for the victories and crises of today's Ukraine.