Ukraine, Europe's second-largest country, boasts a history stretching back to 32,000 BC, emerging as the heart of the powerful Kievan Rus' in the 9th century. After centuries of foreign domination and profound tragedies like the Holodomor famine in the early 1930s and immense losses in World War II, Ukraine achieved independence in 1991 upon the Soviet Union's dissolution. The country embarked on a path toward democracy, marked by the Orange Revolution (2004-2005) and the 2014 Euromaidan revolution, which tragically led to Russia's annexation of Crimea and a war in Donbas. A full-scale Russian invasion commenced in 2022, causing widespread devastation and endangering global food security due to its critical role as a grain exporter. Despite these challenges, Ukraine, a founding UN member, is actively pursuing membership in the European Union and NATO, symbolizing its commitment to a Western future.