Ukraine is a country located in Eastern Europe, bordered by Russia to the east and northeast, Belarus to the north, Poland and Slovakia to the west, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova to the southwest, and the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov to the south and southeast.

Geography and Demographics

Ukraine is the second-largest European country after Russia. Its capital and largest city is Kyiv, followed by Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Odesa. The country has a diverse geography, including fertile plains, mountains, and a significant coastline along the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov25.

History

Ukraine has a rich and complex history. It was the site of the early Slavic expansion and the powerful state of Kievan Rus' in the 9th to 11th centuries. After Kievan Rus' disintegrated, the area was contested and ruled by various external powers, including the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Austrian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Russian Empire. In the 20th century, Ukraine suffered significantly during the Holodomor, a human-made famine in the early 1930s, and during World War II. Ukraine gained independence in 1991 with the dissolution of the Soviet Union2.

Government and Politics

Ukraine is a semi-presidential republic with a unitary system of government. The president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term and serves as the formal head of state. The legislative branch is composed of the 450-seat unicameral parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, which is responsible for forming the executive branch and the Cabinet of Ministers. The current president is Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the prime minister is Denys Shmyhal2.

Economy

Ukraine has a transition economy and is one of the poorest countries in Europe. Despite this, it is an important exporter of grain due to its extensive fertile land. The country faces significant challenges, including corruption and economic instability. Ukraine is in the process of integrating into the European Union and has applied to join NATO25.

Current Conflict

Since February 24, 2022, Ukraine has been involved in a full-scale war with Russia, which has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and widespread destruction. Russian forces have committed numerous violations of international humanitarian law, including indiscriminate bombing and shelling of civilian areas, torture, summary executions, and other war crimes. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has opened an investigation into these alleged crimes, and several high-ranking Russian officials have been issued arrest warrants134.

International Relations

Ukraine is a founding member of the United Nations and participates in various international organizations such as the Council of Europe, the World Trade Organisation, and the OSCE. The country is seeking closer integration with Western institutions, including the European Union and NATO2.