ukraina

Ukraina, or Ukraine in English, is a country in Eastern Europe. It covers about 603,000 square kilometers and is bordered by Belarus to the north, Russia to the east, the Black Sea and Sea of Azov to the south, and Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova to the west. The capital and largest city is Kyiv. The official Ukrainian name is Ukraina (Україна).

Ukraine is a unitary state with a semi-presidential republic system. The president is head of state and the prime minister is head of government, while the Verkhovna Rada is the unicameral parliament. The country is divided into oblasts (regions) and municipalities. The official language is Ukrainian; Russian and other minority languages are widely used in various communities.

The area has roots in the medieval state of Kyivan Rus'. It later became part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Russian Empire, and the Soviet Union. Ukraine declared independence in 1991 after the dissolution of the USSR. Since 2014, it has faced Russian-backed separatist conflict in the Donbas region and Russia's annexation of Crimea. In 2022 Russia launched a full-scale invasion, leading to ongoing fighting and displacement.

Geographically, Ukraine features vast grasslands (the steppe) in the east and south, the Carpathian Mountains in the west, and a long Black Sea coast. Its economy is diversified, with strong agricultural output, including grain; substantial metallurgical and mechanical sectors; and growing information technology. The country pursues closer ties with European institutions and is a candidate for EU membership.

Demographically, Ukraine has a large population and a rich cultural heritage, including literature, music, and folk traditions. Major influences include the Ukrainian language and Orthodox and other religious communities; cuisine such as borshch and varenyky is well known.