Ukraine is a presidential/parliamentary republic with authority divided among the President (Head of the Executive Branch), the Verkhovna Rada (Legislative Branch, Parliament), and the judiciary. The political landscape is diverse, with numerous political parties participating in the democratic process. The Constitution, adopted in 1997, is the supreme law of the land. Ukraine shares borders with Russia, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and Moldova. The capital city is Kyiv. Administratively, the country is divided into 24 regions.
General Information. Ukraine is a country located in Eastern Europe, bordered by the Russian Federation to the east and northeast, Belarus to the northwest, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to the west, Romania and Moldova to the southwest, and the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov to the south and southeast, respectively. Covering an area of 603,628 km², it is the largest country entirely within Europe.
Foreign Relations. In 1999–2001, Ukraine served as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Historically, Ukraine joined the United Nations in 1945 as one of the original members, following a compromise with the Soviet Union, which had requested seats for all 15 of its union republics. Ukraine has consistently supported peaceful, negotiated settlements to international disputes. It has actively participated in quadripartite talks addressing the conflict in Moldova and has advocated for peaceful resolutions to disputes in post-Soviet states, such as Georgia. Furthermore, since 1992, Ukraine has made substantial contributions to UN peacekeeping operations, reflecting its commitment to international peace and security.
States. Ukraine is a unitary state composed of 24 oblasts (provinces), one autonomous republic (Crimea), and two cities with special status: Kyiv (the capital and largest city) and Simferopol. Ukraine is a republic under a semi-presidential system with distinct legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the country has maintained the second-largest military in Europe, after Russia. The country has a population of approximately 46 million people. Ethnic Ukrainians comprise 77.8% of the population, with sizable minorities of Russians (17%), Belarusians, and Romanians. Ukrainian is the official language, though English is also widely spoken. The dominant religion is Eastern Orthodox Christianity, which has significantly influenced Ukrainian architecture, literature, and music.
Climate. Ukraine predominantly experiences a temperate continental climate, though the southern coast of Crimea enjoys a humid subtropical climate. Precipitation distribution is uneven, with the highest amounts in the west and north and the lowest in the east and southeast. Western Ukraine receives about 1,200 millimeters (47.2 inches) of precipitation annually, while Crimea gets approximately 400 millimeters (15.7 inches). Winter temperatures range from cool along the Black Sea to colder conditions further inland. The average annual temperature in Ukraine varies from +5 to +7°C in the north and +11 to +13°C in the south.
Tourism. Ukraine holds the 8th position in Europe for tourist arrivals, as per the rankings of the World Tourism Organization. Positioned at the crossroads of central and Eastern Europe, and between north and south, Ukraine offers diverse attractions for travelers. Its picturesque landscapes include the Carpathian Mountains, ideal for skiing, hiking, fishing, and hunting, and the Black Sea coastline with inviting beaches, making it one of the most popular summer retreats among Ukrainians and foreigners. The country boasts vineyards producing native wines, ancient castle ruins, historical parks, and a rich tapestry of religious architecture, including Orthodox and Catholic churches, mosques, and synagogues.
Kyiv, the capital, stands out with landmarks like the majestic Saint Sophia Cathedral and expansive boulevards. Other notable cities include Odesa’s bustling harbor town and Lviv’s charming old city in the west. Visitors can also take cruise tours by ship on the Dnieper River from Kyiv to the Black Sea coastline. Ukrainian cuisine has a long history and offers a wide variety of original dishes. Its Seven Wonders add to Ukraine’s allure, representing significant historical and cultural monuments. They were selected through an online public vote, showcasing the country’s rich heritage and captivating landmarks.
Language. As per the constitution, Ukrainian is defined as the official language of Ukraine. Ukrainian is the primary language of instruction in schools and universities, though there are provisions for Russian and other minority languages. In Central Ukraine, Russian is commonly used in urban centers, although Kyiv showcases a higher prevalence of Ukrainian alongside Russian. In media, Ukrainian is predominant, but Russian-language media remains widely available and consumed. The Ukrainian government has taken steps to promote and protect the Ukrainian language, ensuring its use in public life and official capacities.
Health. Ukraine’s healthcare system is state-subsidized and freely accessible to all Ukrainian citizens and registered residents. However, seeking treatment at state-run hospitals is optional, as numerous private medical complexes exist nationwide. Most healthcare professionals are employed by the public sector, with many working in private medical centers. Ukrainian medical professionals retain their state employment to provide regular care at public health facilities.
Economy. Ukraine produces nearly all types of vehicles and spacecraft. Antonov airplanes and KrAZ trucks are exported to many countries. The majority of Ukrainian exports are marketed to the European Union and CIS. Since independence, Ukraine has established its space agency – the National Space Agency of Ukraine (NSAU). It actively participates in scientific space exploration and remote sensing missions. Between 1991 and 2007, Ukraine launched six self-made satellites and 101 launch vehicles, continuing to design spacecraft.
The country imports most of its energy supplies, especially oil and natural gas, largely relying on Russia as its energy supplier. While 25 percent of Ukraine’s natural gas comes from internal sources, about 35 percent is imported from Russia, and the remaining 40 percent from Central Asia through transit routes controlled by Russia. Simultaneously, 85 percent of the Russian gas delivered to Western Europe passes through Ukraine. One of the fastest-growing sectors of the Ukrainian economy is the information technology (IT) market, which topped all other Central and Eastern European countries in 2007 with a growth rate of approximately 40 percent. Ukraine ranks fourth in the world in the number of certified IT professionals, following the United States, India, and Russia.
Cuisine. The traditional Ukrainian diet is rich and varied, including staples such as chicken, pork, beef, fish, and mushrooms. Ukrainians tend to eat a lot of potatoes, grains, and both fresh and pickled vegetables. Some of the most popular traditional dishes are varenyky (boiled dumplings filled with mushrooms, potatoes, sauerkraut, cottage cheese, or cherries), borscht (a soup made with beets, cabbage, and either mushrooms or meat), and holubtsi (cabbage rolls stuffed with rice, carrots, and meat). Ukrainian cuisine also features specialties like Chicken Kyiv and Kyiv Cake. In terms of beverages, Ukrainians enjoy stewed fruit, juices, milk, buttermilk (often used to make cottage cheese), mineral water, tea, coffee, beer, wine, and horilka (a traditional Ukrainian alcoholic beverage).