Ukraine’s geopolitical position (through the eyes of neighbours)

Zbigniew Brzezinski:

“without Ukraine, Russia ceases to be an empire, but with Ukraine suborned and then subordinated, Russia automatically becomes an empire.”

Why Ukraine is important for Russian politicians

Big territory between East and West 45 mln people High economical potential Historical cradle of several Slavonic states

and Orthodox Christianity in Eastern Europe

Why Ukraine?

Europe’s second biggest country by territory

UA: 603,550 sq. kmSweden: 450,295 sq. kmFrance: 551,500 sq. km

44.5 mln (5th largest country in Europe) Predominantly Christians

Population

Population of the former USSR

Russia

Ukraine

All the rest 13 republics

2012

agriculture: 9.5%industry: 31.4% services: 59.1%

Ukraine’s economy

Heavy industries, metal ore and coal mining, chemicals, electric power generation, etc

Machinery and transport equipment Food processing, etc.

Industry

Services

“Bread basket” of Europe 25% of Earth’s black soil

Agriculture

Historical importance