Europe's second largest country, Ukraine is a land of wide, fertile agricultural plains, with large pockets of heavy industry in the east.

While Ukraine and Russia share common historical origins, the west of the country has close ties with its European neighbours. Trade with EU countries now exceeds that with Russia.

The Ukrainian economy's dependence on steel exports made it particularly vulnerable to the effects of the global financial crisis of 2008, and in October of that year the country was offered a $16.5bn (£10.4bn) loan by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Ukraine has made clear its aspiration towards EU membership; 2015 has been mooted as a possible target entry date.

• Population: 45.7 million (UN, 2009)
• Capital: Kiev
• Area: 603,700 sq km (233,090 sq miles)
• Major languages: Ukrainian (official), Russian
• Major religion: Christianity
• Life expectancy: 63 years - 74 years
• Monetary unit: 1 hryvnya = 100 kopiykas
• Main exports: Military equipment, metals, pipes, machinery, petroleum products, textiles, agricultural products