Area Total | 603,550 sq km |
Climate | temperate continental; Mediterranean only on the southern Crimean coast; precipitation disproportionately distributed, highest in west and north, lesser in east and southeast; winters vary from cool along the Black Sea to cold farther inland; warm summers across the greater part of the country, hot in the south |
Natural Resources | iron ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil, salt, sulfur, graphite, titanium, magnesium, kaolin, nickel, mercury, timber, arable land |
Imports | Russia 14.5%, China 11.3%, Germany 11.2%, Poland 7%, Belarus 6.7%, US 5.1% (2017) – energy, machinery and equipment, chemicals |
Government | semi-presidential republic |
Capital | Kyiv (Kiev) |
Population | 43,952,299 (July 2018 est.) |
Ethnicity | Ukrainian 77.8%, Russian 17.3%, Belarusian 0.6%, Moldovan 0.5%, Crimean Tatar 0.5%, Bulgarian 0.4%, Hungarian 0.3%, Romanian 0.3%, Polish 0.3%, Jewish 0.2%, other 1.8% (2001 est.) |
Language | Ukrainian (official) 67.5%, Russian (regional language) 29.6%, other (includes small Crimean Tatar-, Moldovan/Romanian-, and Hungarian-speaking minorities) 2.9% (2001 est.) |
Exports | Russia 9.2%, Poland 6.5%, Turkey 5.6%, India 5.5%, Italy 5.2%, China 4.6%, Germany 4.3% (2017) – ferrous and nonferrous metals, fuel and petroleum products, chemicals, machinery and transport equipment, foodstuffs |
News about Ukraine
- Ukraine war briefing: Donald Trump says survival of Ukraine important to the USby Guardian staff and agencies (Ukraine | The Guardian) on April 19, 2024
Former president’s comments are being described as a shift in tone days before Republicans vote on a multibillion-dollar aid package. What we know on day 786See all our Ukraine war coverageDonald Trump has said the survival of Ukraine is important to the US, in what Reuters describes as a shift in tone days before Republicans are due to vote on a $61bn […]
- Polish man arrested over alleged Russian plot to assassinate Zelenskiyby Agencies in Warsaw (Ukraine | The Guardian) on April 18, 2024
Poland’s national prosecutor says man was preparing to share security details of airport used by Ukrainian presidentA Polish man has been arrested on allegations that he aided a plot by Russian intelligence services to assassinate the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, according to Polish and Ukrainian prosecutors.The office of Poland’s national […]
- Germany arrests two dual nationals on suspicion of plotting attacks for Russiaby Kate Connolly in Berlin (Ukraine | The Guardian) on April 18, 2024
Men accused of working with secret service to target sites, including US military bases, to undermine Ukraine supportTwo German-Russian nationals have been arrested in southern Germany on suspicion of plotting sabotage attacks, including on US military facilities, in what officials called a serious effort to undermine military support for Ukraine.The men, […]
- Russia’s war in Ukraine remains barrier to growth, says IMF chiefby Larry Elliott in Washington (Ukraine | The Guardian) on April 18, 2024
Kristalina Georgieva says Kyiv will need $42bn of financial support this year as G7 considers ways to use seized Russian assetsRussia’s war with Ukraine is stoking geopolitical tensions and damaging the recovery prospects of the global economy, the head of the International Monetary Fund has warned.Kristalina Georgieva urged an end to the two-year […]
- Europe: Brussels proposes free movement deal for UK’s 18- to 30-year-olds – as it happenedby Lili Bayer in Brussels (Ukraine | The Guardian) on April 18, 2024
European commission floats opening negotiations with London to allow under 30s in UK and EU the same rights they enjoyed before BrexitCharles Michel, the European Council president, opened today’s session.He welcomed Enrico Letta, who prepared a report on the future of Europe’s single market for the leaders’ consideration. Continue reading...
- War, grief and hope: the stories behind the World Press Photo award-winnersby Nadia Khomami Arts and culture correspondent (Ukraine | The Guardian) on April 18, 2024
Images from Gaza, Ukraine, Madagascar and the US border chosen by global jury from more than 60,000 entries• World Press Photo winners 2024 – in picturesPhotographs documenting the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, migration, family and dementia have topped this year’s World Press Photo awards – one of the world’s most prestigious photography […]
- Political uncertainty in Croatia as ruling party wins most seats but no majorityby Jon Henley Europe correspondent (Ukraine | The Guardian) on April 18, 2024
Croatian Democratic Union and second-placed Social Democratic party both hoping to form governmentCroatia is heading for an extended period of political uncertainty after the ruling conservative Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) emerged victorious in the parliamentary election, but with fewer seats than before and without a majority.Led by Andrej Plenković, […]
- Husband of jailed Russian blogger signs up for Ukraine war to secure her releaseby Pjotr Sauer (Ukraine | The Guardian) on April 18, 2024
Alexei Blinovsky reported to have joined unit popular with politicians and VIPs keen to curry favour with the KremlinWhen his wife, a prominent Russian Instagram influencer, was threatened with years of imprisonment over tax evasion charges, Alexei Blinovsky opted for what seemed the most viable means to secure her freedom in Russia today: he joined […]
- Mike Johnson aid bills: what is the US speaker’s plan for Ukraine and Israel, and will it pass Congress?by Jonathan Yerushalmy (Ukraine | The Guardian) on April 18, 2024
House speaker Mike Johnson has unveiled his plans to pass foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific, with a vote likely on SaturdayUS House speaker, Mike Johnson, has said long-awaited votes on aid for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific will take place as soon as Saturday, putting the senior Republican on a collision course with members of his […]
- ‘Russia doesn’t care’: Sweden sounds alarm over unsafe oil fleetby Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor (Ukraine | The Guardian) on April 18, 2024
Foreign minister warns of environmental catastrophe in Baltic Sea as he accuses Moscow of using unseaworthy vesselsRussia appears prepared to create “environmental havoc” by sailing unseaworthy oil tankers through the Baltic Sea in breach of all maritime rules, the Swedish foreign minister has said.Speaking to the Guardian during his first visit to […]
- Ukraine war briefing: Don’t stockpile your Patriots, put Ukrainian needs first, allies toldby Warren Murray with Guardian writers and agencies (Ukraine | The Guardian) on April 18, 2024
Olaf Scholz tells EU to send more Patriot batteries as Nato chief urges members to prioritise Ukraine’s air defences; airstrikes on Chernihiv kill 17. What we know on day 785See all our Ukraine war coverageCalls to support Ukraine’s defence against Russian air strikes have grown after at least 17 people died when three missiles hit the centre of […]
- Mike Johnson moves ahead with foreign aid bills despite threats to oust himby Joan E Greve (Ukraine | The Guardian) on April 17, 2024
Two fellow Republicans have threatened to remove House speaker if he advances Ukraine funding proposalThe House speaker, Mike Johnson, is pushing ahead with his plan to hold votes on four separate foreign aid bills this week, despite threats from two fellow Republicans to oust him if he advances a Ukraine funding proposal.Shortly after noon on Wednesday, […]
- People duck for cover as missile hits Chernihiv in Ukraine – videoby (Ukraine | The Guardian) on April 17, 2024
At least 17 people have been killed and dozens wounded after three Russian missiles hit the centre of Chernihiv, a city in northern Ukraine near the Russian border.President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on Kyiv’s allies to send air defence support after Chernihiv, which had a prewar population of 300,000, became the latest target of an intensifying Russian […]
- At least 17 dead after three Russian missiles hit Chernihivby Reuters in Chernihiv (Ukraine | The Guardian) on April 17, 2024
Volodymyr Zelenskiy calls on allies to send air defence support to Ukraine after attack on northern cityAt least 17 people have been killed and dozens injured after three Russian missiles hit the centre of Chernihiv, a city in northern Ukraine near the Russian border.President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on Kyiv’s allies to send air defence support after […]
- Russia-Ukraine war: Zelenskiy says west must do more after 14 killed in Russian strike on Chernihiv – as it happenedby Amy Sedghi (now) and Rachel Hall (earlier) (Ukraine | The Guardian) on April 17, 2024
President says attack would not have happened ‘if Ukraine had received sufficient air defence equipment’Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Polish president Andrzej Duda on Wednesday in New York, reports the Associated Press (AP). The planned dinner meeting, confirmed by a person familiar with the matter […]
- Kharkiv at risk of becoming ‘second Aleppo’ without US aid, mayor saysby Dan Sabbagh in Kharkiv (Ukraine | The Guardian) on April 17, 2024
Exclusive: Residents of Ukraine’s second city tell of impact of Russian attacks targeting suburbs and power suppliesKharkiv is at risk of becoming “a second Aleppo” unless US politicians vote for fresh military aid to help Ukraine obtain the air defences needed to prevent long-range Russian attacks, the city’s mayor has warned.Ihor Terekhov said […]
- Wednesday briefing: Stalled aid, soldier shortages and dwindling weapons as Ukraine hangs onby Nimo Omer (Ukraine | The Guardian) on April 17, 2024
In today’s newsletter: As the crisis in the Middle East shifts resources away from the Russian invasion, Zelenskiy is calling for more money, weapons and attention• Sign up here for our daily newsletter, First EditionGood morning.As soon as Iran launched its aerial attack on Israel, western allies coordinated a rapid, united military and diplomatic […]
- Support for Ukraine at stake as Croatia votes in parliamentary electionby Jon Henley Europe correspondent (Ukraine | The Guardian) on April 17, 2024
Polls suggest Croatian Democratic Union could lose majority to Social Democrat-led coalition headed by populist presidentCroatian voters are going to the polls in a high-stakes parliamentary election that could significantly change the country’s pro-western stance on issues including European support for Ukraine in its battle against Russia.Polls suggest […]
- German chancellor urges Xi Jinping to press Russia to end Ukraine war, saying ‘China’s word carries weight’by Agence France-Presse in Beijing (Ukraine | The Guardian) on April 17, 2024
Olaf Scholz says Chinese president agreed to back June peace talks that Russia is not attending while Xi says efforts for a resolution must involve both sidesGermany’s chancellor, Olaf Scholz, says he has urged Xi Jinping to press Russia to end its “senseless” war in Ukraine and that the Chinese president has agreed to back a peace conference in […]
- Ukraine war briefing: Fraught path through US Congress for aid as Russia makes gainsby Warren Murray and agencies (Ukraine | The Guardian) on April 16, 2024
Invaders breaking out and making headway in absence of US help, says thinktank; Zelenskiy signs mobilisation law to boost Ukrainian ranks. What we know on day 784Russia-Ukraine war: who will finance Ukraine’s defence? Continue reading...