18/06/2026
For centuries, Kyiv maintained close ties with European countries through diplomacy, although diplomatic relations looked quite different in medieval times.
The families of Rus princes Volodymyr the Great and Yaroslav the Wise built connections with royal families in France, Sweden, Norway, Hungary, Poland, Byzantium, and beyond. These dynastic connections helped shape long-lasting links across the continent.
Through royal courts and family connections, traditions and ideas travelled across Europe – from Ingegerd Olofsdotter of Sweden arriving in Kyiv to marry Yaroslav the Wise and becoming a key figure at the Kyivan court, to Anna of Kyiv becoming Queen of France and participating in political life, and Elisiv of Kyiv bringing the connections of Rus to the Norwegian royal court through her marriage to Harald Hardrada.
Discover some of the dynastic marriages that connected Rus with royal courts across Europe.