Ukraine, the second largest country in Europe, is situated in Eastern Europe, bordering Russia, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova. It also has coastlines along the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. Kyiv is the capital and largest city, followed by Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Odesa. Ukrainian is the official language, while Russian is widely spoken in the east and south.
The opening of the Trans-Siberian Railway in 1906 led to a significant wave of Ukrainian emigration to the Far East, with an additional 1.6 million people moving within a decade.
In 1917, following the Russian Revolution, the short-lived Ukrainian People's Republic was formed as Ukrainian nationalism grew.
The National News Agency of Ukraine, Ukrinform, was founded in 1918, marking a significant development in Ukrainian media.
Following the collapse of the Russian Empire, the Ukrainian War of Independence raged until late 1921. Ukrainians fought alongside and against various forces, including the Red, White, Black, and Green armies, as well as Polish, Hungarian, and German interventions.
In 1921, the conflict stemming from the broader Russian Civil War devastated Ukraine, leaving over 1.5 million dead and countless homeless. A famine further compounded the suffering in the eastern provinces.
In 1922, the Bolsheviks, having consolidated control over much of the former Russian Empire, established the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic as a constituent republic of the newly formed Soviet Union.
In 1932, Stalin's decree "On the Reconstruction of Literary and Art Organisations" made socialist realism the official artistic style in the Soviet Union, significantly impacting Ukrainian art.
After Marshal Józef Piłsudski's death in 1935, Poland abandoned its approach of offering autonomy to Ukrainians in its eastern Kresy region. This followed unrest and violence, including assassinations of Polish officials by the Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN). The Polish government's response involved restricting the rights of those declaring Ukrainian nationality, fueling further support for the underground Ukrainian nationalist movement.
The invasion of Poland by German and Soviet forces in September 1939 resulted in the division of Polish territory, with Eastern Galicia and Volhynia, home to a Ukrainian population, becoming part of Ukraine.
Following their conquest in 1939, the Nazis established the Reichskommissariat Ukraine with the goal of exploiting its resources. Despite initial welcomes from some western Ukrainians, Nazi rule quickly turned brutal, marked by genocide, forced labor, and a deliberate depopulation program.
In 1940, the Ukrainian SSR expanded its territory by incorporating regions of Bessarabia, Northern Bukovina, and the Hertsa region from Romania under pressure from the USSR.
On June 22, 1941, German forces launched an invasion of the Soviet Union, marking the beginning of nearly four years of devastating war.
The Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) was established in 1942 as the armed wing of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN). The UPA's objective was to establish an independent Ukrainian state encompassing territories with a Ukrainian majority.
From mid-1943 onward, the UPA perpetrated massacres targeting ethnic Poles in the Volhynia and Eastern Galicia regions, resulting in the deaths of approximately 100,000 Polish civilians. These organized killings aimed to create a homogeneous Ukrainian state devoid of a Polish minority and to prevent post-war Polish territorial claims.
By 1944, an estimated 4.5 to 7 million ethnic Ukrainians had fought in the Soviet Army, and half of the 500,000-strong Pro-Soviet partisan units were Ukrainian. The Ukrainian Insurgent Army, with estimated numbers ranging from 15,000 to 100,000 fighters, also played a role in the conflict.
In 1945, the Ukrainian SSR became a founding member of the United Nations as part of a special agreement reached at the Yalta Conference. This granted Ukraine, alongside Belarus, voting rights in the UN despite not being fully independent states.
Soviet Ukraine became one of the founding members of the United Nations in 1945.
A devastating famine struck Ukraine in 1946, exacerbated by drought and wartime destruction. The famine resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and further compounded the challenges of post-war recovery.
The territorial gains made by the USSR, including those by the Ukrainian SSR, were formally recognized internationally through the Paris peace treaties signed in 1947.
The devastating famine that began in 1946 continued into 1947, further hindering Ukraine's post-war recovery and resulting in significant loss of life.
By 1950, Ukraine had fully recovered from the devastation of World War II, surpassing its pre-war levels of industrial and agricultural production. The Soviet government invested heavily in Ukraine's industrial development, particularly in heavy industry and energy production.
By January 1953, Ukrainians constituted 20% of adult "special deportees" in the USSR, second only to Russians. This highlights the large-scale forced relocations imposed on Ukrainians during this period.
Following Joseph Stalin's death in 1953, Nikita Khrushchev emerged as the new leader of the USSR. Khrushchev initiated policies of De-Stalinization and the Khrushchev Thaw, marking a period of political and cultural change.
Leonid Brezhnev, a Ukrainian, assumed the position of General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1964. Despite his Ukrainian heritage, Brezhnev's tenure saw increased Russification policies in Ukraine and the suppression of Ukrainian intellectuals known as the Sixtiers.
Leonid Brezhnev's tenure as General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union came to an end in 1982. His rule had a significant impact on Ukraine, including the expansion of the Soviet nuclear industry, but also increased Russification and the suppression of Ukrainian culture and identity.
On April 26, 1986, a catastrophic nuclear accident occurred at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Soviet Ukraine. The explosion and subsequent fire released massive amounts of radioactive material into the atmosphere, resulting in widespread environmental contamination and long-term health consequences.
The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster occurred in 1986, causing widespread environmental contamination in Ukraine.
By 1988, Ukraine experienced significant growth in higher education, with the number of institutions reaching 146 and student enrollment exceeding 850,000.
On July 16, 1990, the newly elected Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic adopted the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine. This declaration asserted Ukraine's right to self-determination and paved the way for its eventual independence.
Following a failed coup attempt against Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, Ukraine declared its independence on August 24, 1991. This decision was subsequently confirmed by a referendum on December 1, 1991, in which a majority of Ukrainians voted in favor of independence.
During the transition to a market economy after independence in 1991, Ukraine experienced a severe economic downturn, characterized by hyperinflation and a sharp decline in GDP. The country struggled to cope with the collapse of the Soviet Union and faced significant economic challenges.
Following Ukraine's independence in 1991, the use of "the Ukraine" became less common as it was considered politically insensitive, implying a disregard for Ukrainian sovereignty.
Following independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine embarked on a path of reforming its judicial system, transitioning from a Soviet-era model.
The collapse of the USSR and the restoration of Ukraine's independence in 1991 led to a resurgence of literary freedom in the country.
Ukraine declared its independence in 1991 during the dissolution of the Soviet Union, establishing itself as a neutral state.
Ukraine joined the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (now OSCE) and the North Atlantic Cooperation Council in 1992, signaling its commitment to European security and cooperation.
Ukraine began participating in UN peacekeeping operations in 1992, contributing to international peace and security efforts.
Following the Soviet Union's dissolution, Ukraine, inheriting the world's third-largest nuclear arsenal, signed the Lisbon Protocol in 1992, agreeing to transfer all nuclear weapons to Russia for disposal and join the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as a non-nuclear weapon state.
BBC Ukrainian commenced broadcasting in 1992, expanding access to news and information for the Ukrainian audience.
Following the Soviet Union's collapse, Ukraine reached its peak population of approximately 52 million in 1993.
Ukraine's hyperinflation reached its peak in 1993, exceeding 10,000%. This extreme inflation had a devastating impact on the economy, eroding savings and causing widespread economic hardship.
Ukrainian athlete Sergey Bubka set a new world record in the pole vault in 1993, a record that stood for over two decades.
Following its independence, Ukraine declared neutrality but pursued limited military partnerships. Alongside partnerships with the Russian Federation and other CIS countries, Ukraine established a partnership with NATO in 1994.
Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom signed the Budapest Memorandum in 1994, providing security assurances to Ukraine in exchange for giving up its nuclear weapons.
The Constitution of Ukraine was adopted and ratified on 28 June 1996, establishing the country's fundamental laws and principles.
In 1996, Ukraine adopted a new constitution.
By 1996, Ukraine successfully completed the transfer of all its inherited nuclear weapons to Russia, becoming a nuclear-weapon-free nation as per its commitment to the Lisbon Protocol signed in 1992.
The Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between the European Union and Ukraine came into effect in 1998.
The value of the hryvnia, Ukraine's national currency, stabilized in late 1998. This followed a period of sharp depreciation and contributed to the overall stabilization of the Ukrainian economy.
The EU Summit in Helsinki in December 1999 acknowledged Ukraine's long-term aspirations for closer ties but did not initiate discussions on an association agreement.
After eight years of economic decline, Ukraine's economy began to stabilize in 1999. The introduction of the hryvnia as the national currency and economic reforms contributed to this stabilization, although challenges remained.
Ukraine served as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council from 1999 to 2001.
The Pysanka Museum, dedicated to the traditional Ukrainian art of Easter egg decoration, was established in Kolomyia in 2000.
Ukraine's term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council concluded in 2001.
Ukraine conducted a census in 2001 to gather data on the ethnic composition of its population, providing insights into the country's demographic makeup.
The 2001 census revealed that Ukraine had a diverse ethnic makeup. While ethnic Ukrainians constituted about 78% of the population, Russians formed the largest minority at 17.3%. Other smaller minority groups included Belarusians, Moldovans, Crimean Tatars, and others.
During the 2000s, Ukraine leaned toward NATO, solidifying cooperation with the signing of the NATO-Ukraine Action Plan in 2002. The plan acknowledged a potential future NATO membership for Ukraine, subject to a national referendum.
Significant reforms were implemented in the Ukrainian judicial system starting in 2002, aiming to enhance judicial independence and protect judges from undue influence.
In 2003, a Ukrainian military unit was deployed to Iraq as part of the multinational force. Operating under Polish command, this deployment lasted until 2005, signifying Ukraine's growing involvement in international peacekeeping efforts.
During the Orange Revolution in 2004, Ukrainian law enforcement agencies, particularly the police, faced criticism for their handling of the protests.
In 2004, Ukraine witnessed mass protests known as the Orange Revolution. The protests erupted in response to allegations of widespread election fraud in favor of Viktor Yanukovych. The demonstrations forced a re-run of the presidential election, which was won by pro-Western candidate Viktor Yushchenko.
In 2005, Ukraine replaced its eleven-year school program with a twelve-year program to further develop its education system.
The deployment of Ukrainian troops to Iraq as part of the multinational force, which began in 2003, concluded in 2005. This marked the end of Ukraine's contribution to the peacekeeping efforts in Iraq during that period.
The Ukrainian national football team made its debut at the FIFA World Cup in 2006, reaching the quarterfinals in a historic achievement.
In 2007, the Pysanka Museum was recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine, highlighting its cultural significance.
At the 2008 Bucharest summit, NATO formally declared that Ukraine would eventually become a member upon meeting the necessary accession criteria. However, then-President Viktor Yanukovych, favoring the existing level of cooperation, opposed joining NATO.
The global financial crisis of 2008 had a negative impact on Ukraine's economy, leading to a recession and renewed economic instability.
Vasyl Lomachenko won his first Olympic gold medal in boxing at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, showcasing his exceptional talent.
Changes to Ukrainian law in 2010 permitted the use of the Russian language in court proceedings with the agreement of all parties involved.
In 2010, President Yanukovych publicly criticized the Ukrainian court system, expressing concerns about its effectiveness and calling for reforms.
Ukraine was awarded the hosting rights for EuroBasket 2015, demonstrating the country's growing prominence in international basketball.
In August 2012, a new law regarding regional languages came into effect in Ukraine, stipulating that any local language spoken by at least 10% of a region's population could be declared official within that area.
Ukraine's Ministry of Culture began compiling the National Inventory of Elements of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2012 to preserve its cultural traditions.
Vasyl Lomachenko secured his second Olympic gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics, solidifying his status as a boxing legend.
In November 2013, mass protests erupted in Ukraine, sparked by President Viktor Yanukovych's decision to suspend preparations for the implementation of the European Union–Ukraine Association Agreement. These protests, known as the Euromaidan, reflected the Ukrainian people's desire for closer ties with the European Union and dissatisfaction with Yanukovych's pro-Russian stance.
The Ukrainian national basketball team achieved a historic milestone by qualifying for the FIBA World Cup for the first time in 2013.
On February 21, 2014, following months of protests known as the Euromaidan, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych fled the country. The Ukrainian parliament subsequently removed him from office. This event, referred to as the Revolution of Dignity, reflected the Ukrainian people's desire for closer ties with the European Union and a rejection of Yanukovych's pro-Russian policies.
Despite signing the Budapest Memorandum in 1994, Russia annexed Crimea in March 2014, using its navy and paramilitary forces.
Ukraine signed the EU association agreement in June 2014, marking a significant step towards closer ties with the European Union.
Russia launched a proxy war in the Donbas region of Ukraine in August 2014, supporting separatist groups.
In the wake of the Revolution of Dignity in 2014, the Ukrainian Parliament voted to repeal the law on regional languages, aiming to make Ukrainian the sole official language at all levels. However, the repeal was not enacted by the acting President at the time.
In response to the Russo-Ukrainian War that began in 2014, Ukraine initiated a modernization of its military. This included empowering junior officers with greater initiative and establishing a territorial defense force comprised of volunteers.
Sergey Bubka's long-standing world record in the pole vault was broken in 2014, ending an era in the sport.
The Russo-Ukrainian War began in 2014 with Russia's annexation of Crimea and its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. This conflict had a significant impact on Ukraine's economy, leading to increased military spending and a decline in investment.
Ukraine signed the Association Agreement with the European Union in 2014. However, relations with Russia deteriorated sharply in the same year due to the annexation of Crimea and disputes over energy.
Ukraine's role in peacekeeping operations continued to expand in 2014. The Ukrainian frigate Hetman Sahaidachny joined the European Union's counter-piracy mission, Operation Atalanta. This deployment, lasting two months, saw the frigate operating as part of the EU Naval Force off the Somali coast.
In 2014, Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula, which includes Sevastopol and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. This event significantly altered Ukraine's territorial integrity, reducing its control over these regions.
In 2014, Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine, which led to a significant decrease in tourist numbers to Crimea, impacting its economy.
From 1993 to 2014, Ukraine's population experienced a decline of 6.6 million, representing a 12.8% decrease, attributed to factors like a higher death rate than the birth rate, mass emigration, and challenges in living conditions and healthcare.
Mass demonstrations known as Euromaidan led to the establishment of a new government in Ukraine in 2014. Russia responded by annexing the Crimean Peninsula, and pro-Russian unrest escalated into war in the Donbas region.
A ceasefire agreement, known as Minsk II, was reached in February 2015, establishing a frontline between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists.
Ukraine was awarded the hosting rights for EuroBasket 2015, demonstrating the country's growing prominence in international basketball.
In 2015, Ukraine shifted its energy policy to prioritize diversifying its energy supply, moving away from its reliance on gas and coal.
In January 2016, the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) came into effect, integrating Ukraine into the European Single Market and European Economic Area. This followed the ratification of the Ukraine-European Union Association Agreement. Ukraine also received support for its EU accession goals from the International Visegrád Fund.
Protestants constituted 1.9% of Ukraine's population in 2016.
Ukraine implemented an education law in 2017 that mandated Ukrainian as the sole language of instruction in public schools from the fifth grade onwards. This policy aimed to promote the use and revitalization of the Ukrainian language.
In September 2018, Ukrainian boxer Vasyl Lomachenko, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, was ranked as the world's best active boxer pound-for-pound by ESPN.
By 2018, the Protestant community in Ukraine had grown to 2.2% of the population, indicating a trend of increasing religious diversity.
The Orthodox Church of Ukraine gained recognition as independent from Moscow in January 2019, diminishing Moscow's religious influence in Ukraine.
In February 2019, the Ukrainian parliament amended the constitution to include the strategic goals of joining the European Union and NATO.
Ukraine had fossil fuel subsidies amounting to US$2.2 billion in 2019, reflecting its dependence on traditional energy sources.
The law permitting the official use of regional languages in Ukraine was declared unconstitutional in 2019. This decision was viewed by the Council of Europe as a setback for the protection of minority linguistic rights.
In 2019, approximately 1% of Ukrainians lived below the poverty line, with an unemployment rate of 4.5%. The middle class accounted for 5-15% of the population during the same year.
In 2019, 82% of Ukrainians were Christian, with 72.7% identifying as Eastern Orthodox, 8.8% Ukrainian Greek Catholic, 2.3% Protestant, and 0.9% Latin Church Catholic. Other religions, such as Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism, each accounted for 0.2% of the population.
By 2020, Ukraine's government debt had risen to roughly 50% of its nominal GDP, indicating a significant level of government borrowing relative to the size of the national economy.
In 2020, Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine launched the Lublin Triangle initiative in Lublin. This initiative aimed to strengthen cooperation between these three historical countries of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It also sought to further Ukraine's integration and accession to the EU and NATO.
The COVID-19 pandemic reached Ukraine in 2020, presenting further challenges to the country's economy and healthcare system. Low vaccination rates and the ongoing war with Russia exacerbated the impact of the pandemic.
Ukraine has earned a reputation as the "breadbasket of Europe" due to its status as a leading global producer and exporter of agricultural products. During the 2020/21 international wheat marketing season, Ukraine held the position of the sixth-largest wheat exporter globally, accounting for 9% of global wheat trade. Beyond wheat, the country is also a significant exporter of maize, barley, and rapeseed.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) highlighted the Russo-Ukrainian War's severe implications for global food security in 2021. The conflict's disruption to Ukraine's grain and oilseed sectors, crucial for global food supplies, posed a significant risk to many countries, particularly those heavily reliant on Ukraine and Russia for food and fertilizer imports. Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Low-Income Food-Deficit Countries (LIFDCs) faced heightened vulnerability, with countries like Eritrea sourcing 47% of their wheat imports from Ukraine in 2021. The war's impact underscored the interconnectedness of global food systems and the potential for conflict to have far-reaching consequences on food security.
Ukraine's agricultural prowess extends to sunflower oil production, where it commands a dominant position in the global market. In 2020/21, Ukraine accounted for a staggering 50% of global sunflower oil exports, underscoring its significance in this sector. Additionally, the country holds substantial market shares in other key agricultural commodities, exporting 12% of global maize and barley supplies and 14% of global rapeseed exports in the same period.
Ukraine's IT industry played a significant role in its economy, contributing nearly 5% to the country's GDP in 2021.
In 2021, a survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) found that 82% of Ukrainians identified as religious, with 7% being atheists and 11% unsure. Religiosity was highest in Western Ukraine (91%) and lowest in the Donbas (57%) and Eastern Ukraine (56%).
The Association Trio, a tripartite format for enhanced cooperation between Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, was formed in 2021 through a joint memorandum signed by their Foreign Ministers. The trio focuses on dialogue and coordination related to European integration, enhancing cooperation within the Eastern Partnership framework, and their shared goal of joining the European Union.
In 2021, mineral commodities and light industry played crucial roles in the Ukrainian economy. The country's industrial capacity allowed it to produce various transportation vehicles and even spacecraft. Antonov airplanes and KrAZ trucks emerged as key exports. Trade with the European Union was particularly significant, with the bloc being Ukraine's primary trading partner. Additionally, remittances from Ukrainians working abroad provided a vital source of income for the country.
In 2021, agriculture remained the most significant sector in Ukraine's economy, with the nation being a major global exporter of wheat and other agricultural products. However, Ukraine still faces economic challenges, ranking among the poorest European countries with a low nominal GDP per capita. Despite progress, corruption persists as an obstacle to EU membership.
In 2021, the average monthly salary in Ukraine reached its highest point at approximately ₴14,300, equivalent to US$525. This marked a positive development in terms of income levels in the country.
Russia launched a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, marking a significant escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War that began in 2014. The invasion has resulted in widespread destruction, displacement, and loss of life.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, escalating the ongoing conflict.
Martial law was declared in Ukraine in February 2022 following the Russian invasion and remains in effect.
Between February 2022 and March 2023, UNESCO verified damage to 247 sites in Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict, highlighting the cultural impact of the war.
Ukraine was granted candidate status to the European Union in June 2022, in the midst of the ongoing war with Russia.
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and President Zelenskyy's request for expedited EU membership, Ukraine was granted candidate status in June 2022. Notably, Ukraine has significantly strengthened its ties with the United States in recent years.
The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine had a devastating impact on the country's economy. The IMF projected a significant economic contraction of 35%, while estimates for post-war reconstruction costs reached hundreds of billions of dollars, highlighting the war's severe economic toll.
The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine resulted in a massive displacement of Ukrainian civilians, with millions fleeing to neighboring countries, primarily Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.
The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine resulted in the destruction of numerous roads and bridges, significantly impacting transportation. International maritime travel was also blocked.
The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine caused millions of Ukrainian civilians to flee to neighboring nations. Most sought refuge in Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, while others moved to countries like Hungary, Moldova, Germany, Austria, Romania, and other European countries, seeking safety and stability.
Prior to the 2022 Russian invasion, Ukraine had an estimated population exceeding 41 million, making it the eighth most populous country in Europe. The invasion led to significant population displacement.
In early 2022, Ukraine and Moldova made a significant move by decoupling their electricity grids from the Integrated Power System of Russia and Belarus, synchronizing them with continental Europe.
In 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
During the initial weeks of the 2022 Russian invasion, the Ukrainian military faced challenges defending against heavy shelling, missile attacks, and high-altitude bombing. However, light infantry units effectively utilized shoulder-mounted weapons, proving particularly adept at neutralizing tanks, armored vehicles, and low-flying aircraft.
During the 2022 Russian invasion, several prominent libraries in Ukraine, including the Maksymovych Scientific Library and the Vernadsky National Library, suffered damage, highlighting the cultural losses incurred.
Despite the challenges posed by the 2022 Russian invasion, Ukraine's IT sector demonstrated resilience, continuing operations both within and outside the country.
As of 2022, 75% of Ukraine's population had access to the internet, indicating the widespread use of digital technology.
The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine caused destruction to some of Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
In January 2023, UNESCO added the historic centre of Odesa to the List of World Heritage in Danger due to the threat posed by the ongoing conflict.
Between February 2022 and March 2023, UNESCO verified damage to 247 sites in Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict, highlighting the cultural impact of the war.
A widespread anti-corruption campaign was initiated in early 2023, leading to the resignation of several high-ranking officials.
In 2023, Ukraine was ranked 55th in the Global Innovation Index, reflecting its commitment to innovation and research.
Despite efforts to combat corruption, Ukraine was ranked 104th out of 180 countries in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index in 2023. This ranking underscores the continued challenges Ukraine faces in addressing corruption within its borders.
As of February 2024, Ukraine's National Inventory of Elements of the Intangible Cultural Heritage comprised 92 items, reflecting the country's rich cultural traditions.
On March 10, 2024, the documentary film "20 Days in Mariupol" won the Oscar for "Best Documentary Feature Film," marking Ukraine's first-ever Academy Award.
As of 2021, Ukraine was preparing to formally apply for EU membership in 2024, aiming to join the bloc in the 2030s. However, due to the Russian invasion in 2022, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy requested immediate admission to the EU.
The contract for Ukraine to transit Russian gas is set to expire at the end of 2024.