Ukraine is a sovereign state in Eastern Europe. Excluding the Crimea, Ukraine has a population of about 42.5 million, making it the 32nd most populous country in the world. Its capital and largest city are Kiev. The dominant religion in this country is the Eastern Orthodox and Greek Catholics. Ukraine is now in the phase of territorial seizure with Russia over the Crimean Peninsula. Including the Crimea, Ukraine has an area of ​​603,628 km2 (233,062 square meters) and makes it the largest country throughout Europe and the 46th largest country in the world. The modern area of ​​Ukraine has been inhabited since 32,000 BC. During the Middle Ages, the area was the main centre of East Slavonic culture. The strength of Kievan Rus at that time formed the basis of Ukrainian identity. Following its breakthrough in the 13th century, the region was contested, ruled and divided by various powers, including Lithuania, Poland, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Russia. The Republic of Cossack emerged and prospered during the 17th and 18th centuries, but its territory was eventually separated between Poland and the Russian Empire, and eventually fully joined the Soviet Union in the late 1940s as the Soviet Socialist Republic of Ukraine. In 1991 Ukraine gained its independence from the Soviet Union after its dissolution at the end of the Cold War. Before its independence, Ukraine was generally referred to in English as "The Ukraine", but then a source stated the use of "The" was abandoned thereafter.

Following its independence, Ukraine declared itself a neutral state. However, it forms a restricted military partnership with the Russian Federation and other CIS countries. Ukraine also entered into a cooperation agreement with NATO in 1994. In 2013, after President Viktor Yanukovych had decided to abolish the Treaty of the Union of Ukraine-Europe and seek closer economic relations with Russia, mass protests took place for months known as Euromaidan, which later rose to Ukraine's revolution in 2014 which led to the fall of President Yanukovych. Following that, a new government in Ukraine was formed. Following this incident, Russia made a move to make a merger with the Crimea in March 2014 and the Donbass War broke out in April 2014. On 1 January 2016, Ukraine enforced the economy of the Free and Comprehensive Trade Area with the European Union.

Ukraine is a developing country and ranked 84th in the Human Development Index. Until 2018, Ukraine has the lowest personal income and the second lowest per capita GDP in Europe. It also experiences a high level of poverty and severe corruption. However, because of its extensive and fertile farmland, Ukraine is one of the largest grain exporters in the world. Ukraine also became the second largest military force in Europe after Russia. The country is a country with a multi-ethnic population, 77.8 percent of which is Ukraine, followed by very large Russian minorities as well as Georgia, Romania, Belarus, Crimean Tatar, Bulgaria and Hungary. Ukraine is a united republic under the semi-presidential system with separate powers of legislative, executive and judicial branches. The country is a member of the United Nations, the European Council, the OSCE, the GUAM organization, and one of the founding nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

Visitors to Ukraine must obtain a visa from one of the Ukrainian diplomatic missions unless they are from one of the countries exempted from the visa or the country whose citizens can obtain a visa upon arrival. There are 5 countries that do not require a visa to enter Ukraine and can stay permanently there which are citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Uzbekistan. Meanwhile, all citizens of the European Union do not require a visa to enter Ukraine and they can settle in Ukraine for 90 days. For Malaysians wishing to travel to Ukraine, you need a visa to visit Ukraine. However, you can apply for a visa upon arrival at the airport. You can settle in Ukraine for up to 15 days. In addition to applying for a visa upon arrival, you may also apply for an e-visa before coming to Ukraine. By applying for this e-visa, you can stay for 30 days in Ukraine.

The official language of Ukraine is the Ukrainian language which is the East Slavonic language. It is a native language for 67.5% of Ukrainian population including Surzhyk. Russian is the native language for 29.6% of the population of Ukraine, mostly in urban areas and 2.9% are native speakers of other languages. Ethnologies lists 40 minority and dialect languages ​​almost entirely from the former Soviet Union. According to Article 10 of the Constitution of Ukraine, the country has an obligation to ensure the development and function of the Ukrainian language in all areas of social life throughout Ukraine while ensuring the development, use and protection of Russian and other minority languages ​​that are free to use in Ukraine.

Ukraine has a mild climate while the South Coast of Crimea has a subtropical climate. The climate of Ukraine is influenced by the hot and humid air that comes from the Atlantic Ocean. The annual average temperature is 5.5-7 ° C (41.9-44.6 ° F) in the North, 11-13 ° C in the South. Rainfall is uneven in the West and North. Meanwhile, the lowest rainfall is in the East and West Ukraine especially in the Carpathian Mountains which receive about 1,200 millimetres of rain each year. Meanwhile, the Crimea and Black Sea coast areas receive about 400 millimetres of rain.

Ukraine is a country that rich in a variety of foods. It refers to the identity of the Ukrainian state. Among the famous foods here are potato varenyky which is potato dumpling, holubtsi which is a cabbage roll, kotlety po-kyivskomy which is a Chicken Kiev and many more.

How to get there?

By Flight

There are many airports available in Ukraine. The busiest airport in Ukraine is Boryspil International Airport located in Kiev and Simferopol International Airport located in Simferopol. Both airports have the largest number of passengers in and out of Ukraine.

For those of you who want to have a vacation to Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. You can choose from several flights offered by Kuala Lumpur. From Kuala Lumpur, you can take a flight at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Boryspil International Airport in Kiev. Some airlines provide flights to Kiev such as British Airways, Qatar Airways and KLM. However, no direct flights are provided by any flight. The cheapest airline fares are offered by British Airways at a price of MYR 3,675. Flight ticket prices can vary depending on the time and date you want to fly.

Apart from visiting Kiev, you can also visit the second busiest city in Ukraine ie Simferopol. Some airlines provide flights to Simferopol. From Kuala Lumpur, you can take a flight at Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Simferopol International Airport. No direct flights provided by any flight. You need to transit at several other airports before flying to Simferopol. The cheapest airfare is given by Emirates, which is MYR 4,535 for two-way.

What to Do There?

Kiev Pechersk Lavra

Kiev Pechersk Lavra or Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, also known as the Kiev Cave Monastery. It is a historic Orthodox Christian monastery whose name is used as the name of one district located in Kiev. It is a mystical place and has many graves and sacred saints buried there. There is no light in it; you have to walk with a candle to see inside it. You certainly will not regret visiting here.

Saint Sophia's Cathedral

Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kiev is Kievan Rus' incredible architectural monument. The cathedral is one of the most famous landmarks in the city and the first heritage site in Ukraine listed on the World Heritage List along with the Kiev Cave Convent complex.

Hryshko National Botanical Garden

Hryshko National Botanical Garden is located in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. The Hryshko National Botanical Garden is the botanical garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. This place is worth the visit. You can enjoy fresh air with a walk in the garden. The large area is covered with grass, trees and bushes. When flowers and trees bloom, it looks very beautiful. You can also eat and picnic there.

Children's Park

The children's park is a popular theme park featuring zoos, aquariums, playgrounds and amusement parks. This park is located in Simferopol.

Where to stay?

Premier Palace

This Premier Palace hotel is located in the city of Kiev. The hotel is built on a beautiful stone dating back to 1900. This 5-star luxury hotel is located near the Pinchuk Art Centre. It is just a 4-minute walk away. The hotel is also a 6-minute walk from a subway station. The hotel provides various facilities for its guests such as Wi-Fi facilities, a television and a water heater in the bathroom. Buffet breakfast is available for all guests. You can enjoy Ukrainian food while staying here.

Hilton Kyiv

This contemporary luxury hotel is located just a 15-minute walk from the shopping on Khreshchatyk Street and just 2 km from St. Sophia Cathedral. The hotel provides various facilities for guests such as free Wi-Fi and flat-screen televisions in every room. For those who stay in the suites at this Hilton Kyiv Hotel, there is a living room and kitchen in the room. The hotel also has a 24-hour pool and gym facilities.

Hotel Sportivnaya

Hotel Sportivnaya is in Simferopol. Located in a modern, low-rise building, the hotel is 1 km from both the Crimean Republic Museum and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Simferopol. Rooms here have simple décor and have amenities like Wi-Fi and air conditioning. Breakfast is also available in the hotel.