Ukraine was the center of the first eastern Slavic state, Kyivan Rus, which during the 10th and 11th centuries was the largest and most powerful state. It borders the Russian Federation, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary.
The city of Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, with a huge population making it at least 8th largest city in Europe.
Today, the head of the army has been replaced following dozens of deaths as thousands of riot police armed with stun grenades and water cannons have attacked a sprawling protest camp in the center of Kiev, following street battles that left at least 18 people dead and hundreds injured.
While the area is surrounded by riot police the international community is meeting to discuss how to control the rioting there. Since November, the country backed away from the European Union and allied itself with Russia.
Photo: Associated Press
En direct : la place Maïdan assiégée, l'UE envisage des sanctions contre Kiev http://www.france24.com/fr/20140219-direct-nouvel-assaut-police-maidan-… via @FRANCE24