The Ukrainian identity formation process has historically been influenced by many elements. In this article, the building blocks of the identity building process of the Ukrainian nation and its reflections to the present day are examined. Ethnic identity, influence of Cossacks, religion and language elements that have developed in Ukraine in the historical process are discussed in subheadings. The reflections of these elements to date have begun to manifest themselves with the popular uprisings (Orange and Square revolutions) that took place in Ukraine against the government. One of the reasons for the riots is that Ukrainians are divided in their political views into pro-Western and pro-Russian. Pro-Russian Ukrainians support the development of Ukraine's relations with Russia and the policies pursued by the President Viktor Yanukovych. Pro-Western Ukrainians, on the contrary, are opposed to Yanukovych's pro-Russian politics, want the country's integration process to begin in the European Union and want to create a nation with its own values, culture, language and historical values by supporting Ukraine's nation-building process. In order to understand the basis of the identity problems that Ukraine is experiencing today, the study examined how the Ukrainian nation-building process was formed in historical periods.