 Kiev considers renaming Russia. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has instructed his government to consider renaming Russia as Moskovia, 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, Zelensky said he had turned to Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygel with a request for the comprehensive processing of the petition, which had gathered the necessary 25,000 votes to be considered. 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, the Ukrainian president added. Commenting on the move, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that it was further evidence of an attempt to create an anti-Russia out of Ukraine.