10 ACHIEVEMENTS OF INDEPENDENT UKRAINE

As Ukraine celebrates its 33rd year of independence, the weight of history presses heavily. For a third of this time, Ukrainians have endured Russian aggression—from the annexation of Crimea and the conflict in the Donbas in 2014 to the full-scale invasion since 2022. Before this, Ukraine proudly held the title of the largest democracy in the post-Soviet space, a stark contrast to the authoritarianism of its neighbor. While the war has strained the nation, disrupting freedoms and testing its democratic fabric, many of Ukraine’s key achievements remain resilient, their core unshaken. Those that have faltered under the pressures of war are not beyond repair; they are like seeds waiting to bloom once more. Freedom, once tasted, cannot be forgotten. It becomes a part of the national consciousness, etched into the very soul of a people. The following ten achievements of Ukraine stand as a testament to this enduring spirit.

1. Rising from the Ashes: Ukraine's Progress Since the 1990s

The 1990s were a time of profound hardship for ordinary Ukrainians. The country grappled with the absence of basic services, marked by constant power outages, a scarcity of tap water, unreliable heating, and a critical lack of drinking water. The decade saw Ukrainians navigating a reality where hyperinflation surged to a staggering 10,000%, reducing the national currency to a mere shadow of its intended value. Survival meant scraping together what little money they had for bread and transportation, while chaos and racketeering thrived, and bartering became the norm. Yet, the Ukraine of the 2000s began to paint a different picture. The emergence of a system of high-quality public utilities marked a new chapter, with electricity and running water becoming more dependable, symbolizing a commitment to modernization. Simultaneously, Ukraine worked to stabilize its once-devastated economy, laying the groundwork for a more prosperous future. Today, this young democracy can lay claim to a fledgling meritocracy, with functioning state institutions that have stood firm even in the face of a full-scale Russian invasion. For Ukraine, emerging from the 1990s was akin to traversing the nine circles of hell. While paradise may still be out of reach, we have undoubtedly earned our place on the honor roll.

2. Embracing the World Stage

Ukraine swiftly embraced its role on the international stage, securing its place in the global community through strategic alliances and agreements. Maintaining its membership in the United Nations, a holdover from the Soviet era, Ukraine reinforced its standing in international affairs. Joining the Council of Europe and the World Trade Organization marked pivotal steps towards deeper integration into the global political and economic fabric. These moves not only unlocked avenues for economic growth and political collaboration but also underscored Ukraine's aspiration to align with democratic ideals. In doing so, Ukraine positioned itself as a committed contributor to global stability and peace, affirming its place among the world's democracies.

3. Ukraine’s Space Odyssey

Ukraine has not only navigated economic and political upheavals but has also sustained its presence in the realm of space exploration. Building on its Soviet-era heritage, Ukrainian cosmonautics has charted new milestones and embraced ambitious goals. In 2011, the country launched its first satellite, Sich-2, signaling a renewed commitment to space. The Lybid satellite followed in 2015, marking another significant achievement. Ukrainian cosmonaut Leonid Kadenyuk emerged as a symbol of this continued legacy, capturing the nation’s space aspirations with his historic 1997 flight aboard the Columbia spacecraft, where he served as a scientific experimental specialist. Kadenyuk’s journey exemplifies Ukraine’s enduring ambition to make its mark in the space.

4. Navigating the Corruption Crisis

Corruption was Ukraine’s first pandemic, a deep-seated ailment that threatened to cripple the nation long before any other crisis emerged. While a foolproof cure remains elusive, Ukraine has learned how to manage the symptoms with increasing effectiveness. The cornerstone of this fight is the intricate architecture of anti-corruption institutions established in the wake of the 2014 Revolution of Dignity. Leading this charge is the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption, which vigilantly monitors the illicit enrichment of officials and politicians. Then there’s the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), an entity that has become the bane of even the most powerful politicians and wealthiest corrupt figures (ironically, NABU's officers are now being offered bribes not to handle cases). Complementing these efforts are the specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office and the High Anti-Corruption Court, both of which have demonstrated their capacity to function independently, bolstering their institutional strength year by year. Ukraine’s fight against corruption is far from over, but these institutions show that a robust framework can stem even the deepest rot. What about corruption in your country? How are the symptoms being managed, and are there signs of a cure?

5. From Moscow to Brussels: Redefining Alliances

The Agreement with the European Union stands as a defining moment in Ukraine's geopolitical realignment, symbolizing a decisive shift from Soviet Russia toward a European future. Before this pivotal agreement, Russia was Ukraine’s dominant trading partner, with trade between the two nations comprising an unprecedented 32.4% of Ukraine’s total trade turnover in 2011. However, as the ink dried on the Association Agreement, a new chapter began. The EU swiftly emerged as Ukraine’s foremost trading ally. By 2023, the European Union’s share of Ukraine’s exports had soared to 66%, while imports from the EU represented 53% of the total.

6. Breaking Barriers: Visa-free Regime

In 2000, securing a visa to the United States or the European Union was a formidable challenge for Ukrainians, especially for single women. The bureaucratic labyrinth required for a visa application was daunting, often involving a mountain of paperwork that surpassed the demands of university admissions or thesis defenses. Many of my friends faced rejection even when applying for a simple vacation with their families. The tedious process and the meager 3-5 day validity of the visa often extinguished any desire to travel abroad. Today, the landscape has transformed dramatically. Ukrainians now enjoy visa-free travel within the EU, and it’s no longer surprising to see them strolling through the streets of Paris or Berlin. This newfound freedom has facilitated a vibrant exchange of knowledge and culture, fostering a deeper understanding of post-Soviet countries like Ukraine.

7. The New Language of Success

Among my friends, English has become the language of choice, with people ranging from ten-year-olds to fifty-year-olds diving into lessons. It’s not just a trend; it’s a necessity. Nowadays, English is tightly woven into the fabric of career advancement and success, a far cry from its relatively peripheral role two decades ago. Over the past decade, from 2014 to 2024, the nation has surged from a classification of low proficiency to a moderate proficiency level, according to the EF English Proficiency Index. Meanwhile, schools are shifting gears, dropping Russian—a staple of Soviet-era education—in favor of a broader array of languages. French, German, Polish, Czech, and others are now in vogue.

8. Local Power, Local Solutions

Before the full-scale invasion altered the landscape, decentralization stood out as Ukraine’s most lauded reform, according to EU ambassadors. This ambitious shift in governance saw budgetary control move from the central government to local authorities—rural communities and cities alike. The idea was straightforward yet revolutionary: those closest to the issues, whether it was the need for a new road, a school repair, or a tree-planting initiative, were best positioned to make decisions. This reform didn’t just streamline the use of budget funds; it also instilled a sense of local responsibility and initiative, empowering Ukrainians in local communities. 

9. Energy Independence

On February 24, 2022, the full-scale invasion was not the only seismic event in Ukraine. That same day marked a historic leap towards energy independence as Ukraine completed its disconnection from the Russian power grid and seamlessly integrated into the European Union’s network. This shift was more than just a technical feat; it was a symbol of resilience and sovereignty. Many analysts and politicians believe that Russia significantly underestimated both Ukraine and the EU, assuming that the blackout and disconnection would cripple our ability to resist and lead to an easy conquest of Kyiv. 

10. Aiming for 2030: Fast-Track to Europe

In 2022, Ukraine, alongside Moldova, secured a candidate status in a high-speed bid for European Union membership. The process is more than a bureaucratic milestone; it’s a transformative journey as Ukraine aligns its systems and legislation with EU standards, with aspirations set on joining the Union as swiftly as possible. The optimism from EU ambassadors is palpable, with many projecting that Ukraine could fully integrate into the EU by 2029-2030.