1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
In focus
GazaUkraineClimate change
Latest audioLatest videos
Live TV
Motherland statue in Kyiv, plus flag
Image: Valentyn Ogirenko/REUTERS

Ukraine

Ukraine is the largest country by area in Europe, if Russia is excluded. On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, leading to a prolonged conflict.

Skip next section All Content on this topic

All Content on this topic

Kyryl Savin

'Yanokovych's fault'

A German Ukraine expert tells DW about the implications of the failed negotiations.
December 1, 2013
People supporting EU integration hold a rally in front of the Mikhailovsky Zlatoverkhy Cathedral (St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral) in Kiev November 30, 2013. Ukraine's political opposition on Saturday said it would call a country-wide general strike to force the resignation of President Viktor Yanukovich's government after police used batons and stun grenades to break up pro-Europe protests. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko (UKRAINE - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Crackdown sparks election call

Ukraine's opposition has called for early elections amid mass anti-government protests that have been met with police force. Demonstrators have voiced anger over Kyiv’s move away from EU integration towards Russia.
November 30, 2013
external

Police disperse Ukraine protestors

Ukrainian olice used force to disperse pro-EU demonstrators in downtown Kiev. This after President Yanukovich failed to sign a trade deal with the EU at a summit in Vilnius.
November 30, 201301:36 min
People supporting EU integration hold a rally in front of the Mikhailovsky Zlatoverkhy Cathedral (St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral) in Kiev, November 30, 2013. Ukrainian riot police used batons and stun grenades to disperse hundreds of pro-Europe protesters early on Saturday after President Viktor Yanukovich opted not to sign a pact with the European Union. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko (UKRAINE - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Ukraine's 'stolen EU dream'

Police in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, have used force to break up a large anti-government demonstration in the city center. The protesters voiced anger over the country’s move away from EU integration towards Russia.
November 30, 2013
Protesters hold up their mobile phones as they attend a demonstration in support of EU integration at Independence Square in Kiev November 29, 2013. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich's decision to walk away from a deal that would have aligned his former Soviet republic more closely with the European Union sparked both anger and applause on the streets of Kiev on Friday. A sea of blue and gold, the colours of both the EU and Ukrainian flags, swept through the capital as people joined rival protests - one to celebrate closer ties with Russia, another to lament what they saw as a lost chance. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich (UKRAINE - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Massive Protests in Kyiv

November 30, 201301:25 min

EU-Ukraine: Press 'pause'

The Association Agreement with Ukraine has failed for now - but not just because of Russia.
November 29, 2013
epa03418337 The former President of the European Parliament Pat Cox speaks during a joint news conference with European Parliament President Martin Schulz and former President of Poland Aleksander Kwasniewski (both unseen) on the EU's monitoring mission to Ukraine, at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, 02 October 2012. EPA/JULIEN WARNAND +++(c) dpa - Bildfunk+++

Mission to Ukraine

Former European Parliament Pat Cox talks to DW about the monitoring mission to Ukraine.
November 29, 2013
external

No deal with Ukraine

The Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius has failed to bring Ukraine closer to the EU.
November 29, 201301:20 min
German Chancellor Angela Merkel (B brown blazer) and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych meet in a hotel in Vilnius, Lithuania, 29 November 2013. The European Union will discuss an expansion of the partnership eastwards during the two-day summit on 28 and 29 November. Photo: RAINER JENSEN p

Vilnius: EU, Russia estranged

The European Union's Vilnius summit has ended with top EU officials accusing Russia of blocking what would have been a key deal with Ukraine. Russian state media claim a "win" for Russia.
November 29, 2013
The participants of the European Union's Eastern Partnership summit pose for the family picture on November 29, 2013 in Vilnius, Lithuania. The European Union initialled association agreements with Georgia and Moldova but failed to draw Ukraine closer in its drive to boost ties with six ex-Soviet states on its eastern flank. AFP PHOTO / JANEK SKARZYNSKI (Photo credit should read JANEK SKARZYNSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Two out of three in Vilnius

Georgia and Moldova have penned agreements which will see to the two countries move closer to the European Union. However the EU failed in its attempts to sign a similar accord with Ukraine.
November 29, 2013
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych speaks during a press conference in Kyiv, . (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

Chill in Vilnius

Ukrainian President Yanukovych travels to the Vilnius summit, but it is not clear why.
November 29, 2013
A flag with an image of Yulia Tymoshenko is carried by protesters attending a rally to support EU integration in central Kiev November 24, 2013. Tens of thousands of supporters of Ukraine's European integration flooded central Kiev on Sunday to protest against the government's decision to drop plans to sign a landmark deal with the European Union in Vilnius on November 29 and to revive talks on ties with Russia. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich (UKRAINE - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Ukraine focus at Vilnius summit

Ukraine has focused heavily in EU talks in Lithuania after Kyiv rejected a free-trade deal with the EU in favor of closer ties with Moscow. But the EU remains keen on bringing the country into the fold.
November 28, 2013
external

Ukraine at EU summit amid tension, protests

A week after the Ukraine backed out of a planned association accord with the EU, protestors are still on the streets of Kiev. Under fire at home, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich has travelled to Vilnius, Lithuania for an EU summit.
November 28, 201301:29 min
external

German abrasives manufacturer sets up in Ukraine

A portrait of a German manufacturer of grinding materials trying to establish a manufacturing base in Ukraine.
November 28, 201302:35 min
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich (Photo: REUTERS/Andriy Mosienko/Presidential Press Service/Handout)

Pressure on Yanukovych

President Yanukovych is under pressure for shelving talks on the association agreement
November 28, 2013
People look at a giant kite featuring Lithuania´s logo for the EU presidency (Photo: PETRAS MALUKAS/AFP/Getty Images)

After Ukraine, now what?

Moscow's pressure on Ukraine threatens ties between six former Soviet countries and the EU.
November 28, 2013
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych speaks during a press conference in Kiev, Ukraine, Friday,March, 1, 2013. Yanukovych has hinted that he may free from prison an opposition leader Yuri Lutsenko. (Photo via AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

Yanukovych slams EU

Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych, who last week shelved plans to sign a pact with the EU, says he will however attend an EU summit on Thursday. Thousands of pro-EU advocates have rallied again in Kyiv.
November 26, 2013

Ukraine - Turning its Back on Europe?

Shortly before it was to sign an Association Agreement with the EU, Ukraine surprised everyone by putting the deal on ice. Many in Europe view this as an affront. So where do things go from here? Can Ukraine and the EU reach some agreement on trade?
BusinessNovember 26, 201304:38 min
Protesters clash with riot police during a rally to support EU integration (Photo: REUTERS/ Valentyn Ogirenko)

Protests against EU decision

Ukrainian opposition figure Yulia Tymoshenko has launched a hunger strike to push President Viktor Yanukovych to sign an EU trade agreement. Police dispersed protesters with tear gas on Monday.
November 25, 2013
Protesters clash with riot police during a rally to support EU integration, in front of the Ukrainian cabinet of ministers building in Kiev November 25, 2013. Tens of thousands of supporters of Ukraine's European integration flooded central Kiev on Sunday to protest against the government's decision to drop plans to sign a landmark deal with the European Union in Vilnius on November 29 and to revive talks on ties with Russia. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich (UKRAINE - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Fresh pro-EU protests in Ukraine

In a second day of major protests in Ukraine, police have used tear gas on protesters. The demonstrations, the biggest since the Orange Revolution, were sparked by a government decision to scrap a key pact with the EU.
November 25, 2013
external

Ukrainian opposition bucks government on Europe

Days after the Ukrainian government voted to scuttle a proposed cooperation deal with the European Union, the opposition has taken to the streets in anger. This is one of the largest opposition protests in years. And government supporters have been out, too.
November 25, 201301:30 min
Tens of thousands of demonstrators march and carry EU flags to demand that the Ukrainian government reverse course and sign a landmark agreement with the European Union in defiance of Russia, in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013. The protest was the biggest Ukraine has seen since the peaceful 2004 Orange Revolution, which overturned a fraudulent presidential election result and brought a Western-leaning government to power. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

Ukraine protesters want EU pact

Tens of thousands of Ukrainians took to the streets of the capital, Kyiv, on Sunday to protest the government's decision last week to scrap an EU trade treaty. Protesters fear a political shift back towards Russia.
November 24, 2013
Three European flags blow in the wind Photo: Thierry Monasse/DPA

Image problem

Ukraine, Turkey and Iceland all gave the EU the cold shoulder, but the bloc remains attractive.
November 24, 2013

No ingratiation necessary

DW's Christoph Hasselbach on whether Ukraine's rejection of the EU is part of a larger trend.
November 22, 2013
Activists hold a flag with the image of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko during a night rally in support of Ukraine's integration with the European Union in the center of Kiev, Ukraine, Friday, Nov. 22, 2013. Ukraine's president-controlled parliament on Thursday failed to pass any of a flurry of proposed bills allowing the release of jailed former premier Yulia Tymoshneko, dealing a harsh blow to this ex-Soviet republic's chances of integration with the European Union. Photo: AP

Tymoshenko, Putin on Ukraine

Jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has called for street protests in Ukraine after a key deal with the European Union was suspended. Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, says the EU bullied Ukraine.
November 22, 2013

Opinion: Ukraine snubs Europe

Kyiv has succumbed to Russian pressure and given the EU the cold shoulder, says DW's Bernd Johann.
November 22, 2013
Activists of Ukrainian movement 'For European Future' hold EU flag with the Ukraine national emblem during a rally Photo: SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images

Association put on ice

The Ukrainian government snubs the EU's conditions for a key association deal - at least not now.
November 22, 2013
external

Ukraine Halts EU Trade Negotiations

The Ukrainian governement has halted work on a landmark free trade agreement with the European Union after voting against the release of former Prime Minister, Yulia Tymoshenko.
November 21, 201301:37 min
Deputies attend a session of oarliament in Kiev November 21, 2013. Ukraine's parliament on Thursday rejected draft laws that would allow jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko to go to Germany for medical treatment

Ukraine halts key EU deal

Ukraine has said it is suspending preparations to sign a landmark trade and political pact with the European Union. It comes after parliament rejected legislation to free jailed ex-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko.
November 21, 2013
General view of the opening ceremony of a new session of parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, 03 September 2013. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych urged lawmakers to work on building the business environment and helping Ukrainian exporters to find new markets, and also voted on the fate of ex-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko. Photo: dpa

No release for Tymoshenko

Ukraine’s parliament has voted down all six bills that would have allowed jailed ex-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko to go abroad for treatment. The move could scupper a proposed trade agreement with the European Union.
November 21, 2013
epa03957288 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (R) celebrates scoring the 0-1 goal with team mate Nani during the FIFA World Cup 2014 qualifying playoff second leg soccer match between Sweden and Portugal at Friends Arena in Solna, Sweden, 19 November 2013. EPA/PONTUS LUNDAHL SWEDEN OUT +++(c) dpa - Bildfunk+++

Ronaldo sends Portugal to Brazil

Cristiano Ronaldo's hat trick bested Zlatan Ibrahimovic's brace as Portugal defeated Sweden to reach the World Cup. France, Croatia and Greece also secured places in Brazil in the final evening of European qualifiers.
November 19, 2013
Portrait of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO +++(c) dpa - Bildfunk+++

Tymoshenko talks delayed

Ukraine’s parliament has delayed debating letting jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko leave the country for treatment. Her release is a key condition of a planned trade agreement with the European Union.
November 19, 2013
Ukrainian opposition supporter waves flag with portrait of jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO

Down to the wire

The EU and Ukraine plan an association agreement - but nothing has been signed.
November 19, 2013
external

EU postpones Ukraine free trade decision

Germany and the EU want the release of opposition figure Yulia Tymoshenko.
November 18, 201301:29 min
German Chancellor Angela Merkel delivers a speech on November 18, 2013 during an extraordinary session in the Bundestag lower house of parliament in Berlin. Merkel speaks to parliament about the European Union's partnerships with eastern European countries outside the bloc. Photo: AFP

Merkel: Spy scandal tests US ties

Angela Merkel has said allegations over US spying in Germany have put the relationship between the two nations "to the test." The German chancellor’s comments came as the Bundestag met to debate several telling issues.
November 18, 2013
epa03920283 Ukrainian opposition supporters hold signed portrait of jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko reading 'President Yanukovych, release Yulia!' during their protest near the Kiev City Hall in Kiev, Ukraine, 23 October 2013. EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO

EU issues Tymoshenko appeal

The European Union's foreign ministers have urged Ukraine to take action on jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko before they move ahead with a landmark free trade deal to be signed at a summit next week.
November 18, 2013
Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo (R) is congratulated by Sweden's forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the end of the FIFA 2014 World Cup qualifier play-off first leg football match Portugal vs Sweden at the Luz stadium in Lisbon (Photo: MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP/Getty Images)

Ronaldo rallies Portuguese hopes

Cristiano Ronaldo boosted Portugal's chances of reaching Brazil with a late goal against Sweden. Meanwhile, France saw their hopes of a place in the 2014 World Cup dented after a 2-0 first-leg away defeat to Ukraine.
November 16, 2013
Ukrainian opposition deputies hold a large flag with the portrait of jailed former Prime Minister and the opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko as they shout the slogan 'Freedom for Yulia!' during a speech by the Ukrainian President in the parliament in Kiev on May 15, 2013. (Photo: STRINGER/AFP/Getty Images)

Deal or no deal?

The fate of former Prime Minister Tymoshenko remains uncertain and threatens EU-Ukraine ties.
November 15, 2013
Ukrainian opposition deputies wear on November 8, 2013 T-shirts, bearing a picture of Yulia Tymoshenko or the slogans 'Free Yulia' and 'Free Ukraine,' (Photo: SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images)

Tymoshenko vote on hold

Ukrainian lawmakers have postponed their vote on a bill to allow jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko to travel abroad for medical treatment. The legislation is a key part of Ukraine's bid for EU integration.
November 13, 2013
Rosneft President Igor Sechin, left, and Deputy Foreign Minister Alexei Meshkov before a meeting on cross subsidies in the power industry at Bocharov Ruchei residence in Sochi. Michael Klimentyev/RIA Novosti

Mid-East in focus

Russian Deputy Doreign Minister, Alexei Meshkov, speaks to DW about the importance of the Mid-East.
November 8, 2013
external

Ukraine looks west for energy

Ukraine has signed a $10bn shale gas joint production agreement with US oil giant Chevron. The two sides say the Oleska oil fields could supply Ukraine's entire energy needs - ending its energy dependence on Russia.
November 6, 201301:10 min

Global Snack: Blini from Ukraine

Ukrainian blini are made with whey and buckwheat flour, and the classic variety is filled with egg, pancetta and sour cream.
BusinessNovember 4, 201302:27 min