Why Should You Follow Ukraine?

Economics and Geography

Ukraine is the second-largest country in continental Europe and commands an annual GDP of nearly 160 million dollars. Ukraine’s economic prowess is rooted in its prolific agricultural production. The country of 44 million is the second-largest exporter of grain products in the world and Ukrainian food supplies feed over 400 million people a year across the globe. Leadership in Ukraine has worked to diversify the economy, and Ukraine boasts one of the fastest-growing IT sectors in the world. Ukraine is home to over 12,000 tech companies, with the Ukrainian startup Grammarly leading the way.

Politics

Ukraine is a geopolitical lynchpin for the United States, western Europe, Russia, and Eurasia. Ukraine and the European Union signed an association agreement in 2014 that outlines requirements for Ukrainian admission into the EU. Since 2014, Ukrainian leadership has been working diligently to fulfill these requirements, yet as the war in Ukraine continues to rage some European leaders have tried to speed up the country’s ascension into the Union. Ukraine is also seeking to strengthen its military alliances by joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Ukraine’s geopolitical importance will only continue to grow as they work to join these powerful economic and military organizations.

History

Up through the mid 20^th century, different iterations of Russian, Polish, and Austrian governments ruled over modern-day Ukraine. The Soviet Union eventually unified most of the modern-day Ukrainian lands but suppressed Ukrainian culture. Under the Soviet regime, as many as ten million Ukrainians were killed when they were subjected to an artificial famine between 1932-1933. The act, which is widely considered to be genocide on the part of the Soviet Union, is known as the Holodomor. Despite these oppressive environments, unique Ukrainian culture and language formed and persisted through persecution. After the Soviet Union collapsed, an independent Ukrainian nation-state formed in 1991 and has been making strides to claim a spot on the global stage.

Culture

Ukraine has a rich culture that has reached far beyond its borders. Kyiv serves as the center of some incredible cultural institutions such as the Pinchuk Art Center, the UNESCO landmark of St. Sophia’s Cathedral, and the Babyn Mar Memorial. Famous cultural figures have also emerged from around the country such as novelist Taras Shevchenko and folk artist Maria Prymachenko. Recent movies written and produced by Ukrainian filmmakers have also been internationally recognized, such as My Thoughts are Silent and Stop Zemila. As the country continues to evolve so will its culture and artists.