Part 4/11:
For decades, Ukraine has grappled with corruption, political instability, and economic struggles. The national struggle began post-1991, when the country declared independence from the Soviet Union with little preparation for self-governance. This resulted in an economy heavily reliant on bartering and oligarchic control, leading to stagnation and even decline in growth rates.
The 1990s saw Ukraine on the brink of default, with deep-seated corruption allowing oligarchs to exploit political power for personal gain. Even after a transition toward a more democratic model, heavy bureaucracies continued to hamper progress.