UKRAINE. About Ukraine. Ukraine news

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Ukraine (pronounced in Ukrainian UKRAYINA) is a country in south-eastern Europe, the second largest of the continent after Russia, and one of the most populous in Europe. Its history spans more than a thousand years. For several centuries it had stayed under Russia's domination and regained independence in 1991.

Ukraine is bordered by Belarus on the north, by Russia on the north, north-east, and east, by the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea on the south, by Moldova and Romania on the south-west, and by Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland on the west.

Nation formed itself on the territory of contemporary Ukraine during thousands years. Historians found its roots in Tripolye  culture, which existed on the lands of the Middle Dnieper in the 3rd millennium A.C., and also in the heritage of Scythians and in Chernyakhovsky monuments.

About 1100 years ago on the Ukrainian lands powerful medieval monarchy - Kiev Rus - spread out.

In 988 during the period of governing of Vladimir I the Great, Kiev Rus went through an event, which remained carved in its history forever under the name of "Baptism of Rus".

Christianity became unigue state religion.

Prince Vladimir II Monomach (1113-1125) was the last of Kiev princes, which starved for preservation of unity and might of Kiev Rus.

The next sovereign state in the history of Ukrainian nation was of Zaporizka Sich one of the brightest periods in Ukrainian history.

Cossacks of Zaporizhya were excellent warriors. They struggled for freedom of Ukraine and gained many brilliant victories in battles against forces of Osman empire and Rzecz Pospolita. During 1917-1921 Naddneprianska Ukraine (or the Great Ukraine) turned into a scene of desperate struggle with participation of 6 armies.

In 1922 Ukraine joined the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and remained in it till 1991, when after disintegration of the USSR it became an independent state.

Contemporary Ukraine is an independent European state, it is open for multifaceted collaboration with all interested states. It made a valuable contribution into strengthening of security and stability in European region. This is supported by political and economical transformations within the country, its participation in activity of international security systems, carrying out of peacemaking and humanitarian operations.  The most important achievement of Ukraine in foreign policy is its choice of way which leads to the full-scale integration into European and  Transatlantic structures;. Ukraine is a member of European Council and OSE and  works actively on joining EC. After entering in force in January 1998 of Partnership and Collaboration Agreement between Ukraine and EC, Ukraine continues to develop actively its political, economical, financial, social and military relations to European Community.

From the total population of 49 min. persons, 80 percent are Ukrainians. Anil the rest are those who come from the CIS countries, as well as Poles, Hungarians, Romanians, Greeks, Germans, Bulgarians and representatives of other nations. Official language is Ukrainian. 11'iwevcr Russian language is also widely spread in Ukraine. As a rule people of Eastern and Central regions of Ukraine uses mostly, Russian language. Deep original art of Ukraine absorbed traditions of many artistic cultures which changed one another at its territory. It is reflected in architecture and fine arts of Ukraine.

Ukraine is an industrial and agrarian country. Economy of Ukraine, its scientific and technical potential permits it to be among the states which are engaged in space investigations. Ukrainian carrier rockets Zenith are widely used for launching satellites for benefit of other states within the frames of the international space program "Sea Start". Achievements of Ukrainian aircraft construction are well known in Europe and all over the world. Bowels of Ukraine are rich  in deposits of coal, iron-ore, manganese, nickel, uranium. Recently Ukrainian geologists found deposits of gold in Western Ukraine

Sport is very beloved in Ukraine. Preference is given to light athletics, football, boxing, basketball, athletic and artistic gymnastics. Let's recall I Ukrainian sprinter Valeriy Borsov, who established a world record on 100 m race, pole-jumper Sergey Bubka; Ukrainian football club "Dinamo" Kyiv, many times it was champion of the country, two times winner of the UEFA Cup.

Perhaps the most popular in Europe and all over the world today are I Ukrainian boxers, brothers Vitaliy and Vladimir Klichko, who burst swiftly into professional boxing. At their account there are many splen-did, exciting fights, which gave great pleasure to admirers of boxing.