Ukraine

Although finally independent in 1991 with the dissolution of the USSR, Ukraine has struggled over the past decades to establish democratic rule and has instead faced widespread corruption, stalling all efforts at economic reform, privatization and civil liberties. While the government liberalized most prices and devised a framework for privatization after independence, resistance forces prevented any forward progress. Ukraine's output had fallen to less than 40 percent of the 1991 level by 1999, and their dependence on Russia and lack of their own infrastructure made the economy vulnerable. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has encouraged Ukraine to quicken their pace and scope of reforms; together Ukraine and the IMF reached a deal in 2008 to counter the economic crisis and bring them out of economic and political turmoil. Counterpart International (Counterpart) has worked to build the capacity of Ukrainian NGOs and provided vulnerable populations with much-needed supplies and equipment.

Map and country information, The World Factbook 2009. Washington, DC: Central Intelligence Agency, 2009.