Developments in eastern Ukraine have got Western powers steamed up about Russia's perceived expansionist ambitions. Moscow's annexation of Crimea in March and its alleged support of the separatist movement in Ukraine have led to Russia's relations with the United States and European Union reaching their lowest point in the post-Cold War era.

Taking the long view, though, some would claim that this is just another blip on history's long timeline. As this video shows, Europe's borders have been redrawn more frequently over the past millennium than most people care to remember.