Facts and stats about Ukraine

The Ukrainian transitional government may be facing its worst crisis. The deployment of Russian troops along the eastern borders of Ukraine has caused additional anxiety to the provisional government in Kiev. As a consolation, US President Barack Obama declared once more that Europe and the United States remain one in support of the Ukrainian nation. This early, the American Government already announced an energy financial assistance package for Ukraine worth $1 billion. The US also readied economic sanctions against Russia if Moscow attempts to infringe on Ukrainian territory. According to the White House, this loan guarantee is meant to help shield the beleaguered nation from continuous reductions in energy support. Russia provides a significant percentage of natural gas for Ukraine so the country must not be dependent on these imports. This assistance will also add to a more comprehensive aid package coming from the International Monetary Fund. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsia for the first time and asked for more independence for Ukrainian regions. While this took place, the government ordered Ukrainian soldiers out of Crimea. Crimea has been a focal point of pro-Russian sentiment and it is possible that this can result eventually to separatism. The region is located in a cape on the Black Sea coast of Ukraine. It has a population of approximately 2.3 million. Majority of these people are identified as ethnic Russians. Crimea supported former President Viktor Yanukovych during the presidential elections of 2010. This prompted autonomists in the Crimean parliament to side with the Russian Federation. Meanwhile, China has maintained its conventional policy of non-interference in international affairs. For his part, President Obama insisted that there will be no military solution to the Crimean crisis.