Ukraine is located in Eastern Europe; it is the second largest country entirely in Europe by area. Ukraine was the center of the first eastern Slavic state, Kyivan Rus, the largest and most powerful state in Europe during the 10th and 11th centuries. However it was weakened by internal conflicts and Mongol invasions, it was then incorporated into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth after that. The Cossack Hetmanate, was established during the mid-17th century after an uprising against Poland. During the second part of the 18th century, the Russian Empire absorbed most of Ukraine. Ukraine achieved a short period of independence between 1917 and 1920. But was re-conquered by the USSR. Independence was achieved in 1991 with the dissolution of the USSR. 78 percent of the population is identified as Ukrainian, the second largest group being Russian with 12 percent. Ukrainian is the country’s official nationwide language. Two thirds of the population identify as orthodox.

 

Viktor Yanukovych became prime minister 2006. He went back on a trade and cooperation agreement with the EU in November 2013, his use of force against activists favoring the agreement led to a three month protest occupation of Kyiv’s central square. His continued use of violence led to battles, resulted in deaths, and ultimately the president’s abrupt departure to Russia in February 2014. Pro-West president Petro Poroshenko assumed office on 7 June 2014. However in March 2014 Russian President Putin invaded Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula claiming to protect ethnic Russians living there. Russia illegally annexed Crimea after a controversial referendum. The Ukrainian Government asserts that Crimea remains part of Ukraine. Russia continues to supply separatists in two of Ukraine’s eastern provinces with manpower, funding and materiel resulting in an armed conflict with the Ukrainian Government

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-18010123

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/up.html

http://www.state.gov/p/eur/ci/up/