Historically speaking the ties between Ukraine and Russia are complex and layered. The progenitor of the Russian Tsarist Empire began in Kiev (the modern-day capital of Ukraine) before moving further east to Moscow. During the twentieth century Ukraine came under the control of the Soviet Union and due to its fertile lands came to be known as “the breadbasket of the Soviet Union.” As you may be aware in more recent times relationships between Ukraine and Russia have reached a critical point and it now serves (unwillingly) as something of a “buffer state” between Russia and the west.

Approximately one third, or thirty-three percent, of the world’s labor force is engaged agricultural work. The number has been steadily declining throughout the history of human civilization.