Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe in terms of area (603,700 sq. km) and fifth in Europe in terms of population (46.2 million people). The country is known as “The Breadbasket of Europe” due to its unique treasure – fertile black earth. Ukraine is a country with a thousand-year history whose roots reach back to the time of Kyivan Rus (9th century).

What is this country like today? For foreign travelers, its name sometimes evokes contradictory associations. For those who have not been here before, these are formal stereotypes: “Chornobyl”, “the Klitschko brothers” and “the Orange Revolution”. For those who have seen the country from the inside, they are bright impressions, like “I am surprised how modern and nice this country is,” or “My main impression of Ukraine is its people, who are open, sincere, hospitable and beautiful.”

Here, there are many unusual things for foreigners, and this is mostly the case because Ukraine’s modern times are times of drastic growth. Here, cities grow swiftly, business life is in full swing, and new talents and ambitious plans are being born. To visit Ukraine today is to feel the pulse of dynamic life in that part of the European continent which only 15 years ago was terra incognita for most foreigners.

Rapid development always entails bright contrasts: wealth and poverty, the newest technologies and outdated manufacturing facilities from Soviet times, as well as modern business centers and multi-apartment buildings in remote residential districts in the cities. The development of democracy is also drastic: This is both “the Orange Revolution” and dynamic internal politics. However, present-day Ukraine is changeless in one thing: It is bringing modern European and general world standards very swiftly into its life; it is integrating into European and Euro-Atlantic security and cooperation structures and bringing to light for the world community the truth about the tragic pages of its history, in particular, the Holodomor genocide of 1932–1933. Having visited Ukraine, you will see all this both in politics and business, as well as in relations between people. We are confident that becoming acquainted with Ukraine will turn into a bright impression for you, which you will never be able to forget!

The Independence Square in Kyiv

Lviv