Today, during wartime, accusations are sometimes directed at Ukraine of nationalism or discrimination against non-Ukrainian ethnic groups. In reality, however, Ukraine is a multinational state—a true melting pot of peoples and cultures, where diverse traditions and histories coexist and enrich one another.

Undoubtedly, Ukrainians are the largest and titular nation of the country, making up about 78% of the total population. The remaining 22% consists of over 100 national communities: Crimean Tatars (about 0.5%), Russians (about 17%), Poles, Hungarians, Romanians, Bulgarians, Jews, Roma, Armenians, and others.

The settlement of ethnic groups across Ukraine has clear regional specifics. The greatest concentration of Ukrainians is in central, northern, and western regions, while other regions are characterized by greater ethnic diversity. For example, the largest populations of ethnic Hungarians, Romanians, and Poles live in areas bordering Hungary, Romania, and Poland. Greeks have a long history of settlement on the Black Sea coast and in the Azov region. The largest numbers of Moldovans and Bulgarians live in the south, especially in the Odesa region.

Each ethnic group has its own language, traditions, holidays, culinary and musical customs, all of which make Ukraine’s cultural landscape rich and unique. Their development is supported and encouraged by the Ukrainian state. Crimean Tatars are reviving their cultural heritage after deportation, western minorities maintain education in their native languages, and historic communities preserve and pass on the unique traditions of their towns and villages. This ethnic diversity fosters a vibrant social dialogue and promotes mutual respect and tolerance.

The Constitution of Ukraine guarantees all citizens, regardless of ethnicity, equal political, social, economic, and cultural rights and freedoms. It supports the development of national self-awareness and expression while protecting the cultural identity, languages, and traditions of national minorities and indigenous peoples. For instance, children of national minorities can study in their native language in schools or bilingual programs, and minority language courses and electives are encouraged.

The state also actively supports cultural and linguistic programs, festivals, community centers, and educational initiatives that help pass on heritage to future generations.

It is precisely this melting pot of peoples that makes Ukraine unique: different traditions and histories intertwine, creating a multifaceted portrait of the country where past, present, and shared future merge into a single cultural tapestry.