“Ukraina”, in addition to being the name of the country in both Ukrainian and Russian, is also a Russian word that means “borderland”. Because of that, many Ukrainians take issue with referring to it as “the” Ukraine (and doubly so without capitalization). Doing so is seen as ignoring their existence as an independent nation and reducing it to a geographic region defined by its function as a buffer between Russia and Europe.
Generally speaking it seems that adding an article to a country is related with colonialism unless the countries common name is in plural, e.g. the United States or the United Emirates
“Ukraina”, in addition to being the name of the country in both Ukrainian and Russian, is also a Russian word that means “borderland”. Because of that, many Ukrainians take issue with referring to it as “the” Ukraine (and doubly so without capitalization). Doing so is seen as ignoring their existence as an independent nation and reducing it to a geographic region defined by its function as a buffer between Russia and Europe.
Generally speaking it seems that adding an article to a country is related with colonialism unless the countries common name is in plural, e.g. the United States or the United Emirates