Ukraine , because of a troubled recent history, is trapped in many paradoxical laws and business is observed quite differently than in the west. However, after the country's break from Soviet ties, there are unprecedented opportunities for the entrepreneur, but not many people speak English and the use of interpreters may be necessary; knowledge of German, Russian or Ukrainian will be useful. During meetings formal attire is observed for both men and women, although women are not traditionally part of the business world, and visiting businesswomen will undoubtedly be subjected to chauvanism. Meetings often include informalities and sociable questions, and will begin with a welcoming alcoholic drink, which would be considered rude to refuse. These are often used for character evaluation and it is considered impolite to delve straight into business matters. Typical business hours are 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

The climate is temperate continental, characterised by plenty of rain and cloudy autumns and winters. The southern Crimean coast experiences a Mediterranean climate. There are regular snowfalls in winter (between October and April) with average temperatures of 17-35°F (-8 to 2°C), with colder temperatures inland. While winters are long and cold, summers are short and can get very hot, especially in the south, with average temperatures of 64-81° F (18-27°C). Rainfall occurs in the form of thundershowers and the occasional downpour; rainfall is highest in the west and north of the country.

The international dialling code for the Ukraine is +380. The outgoing code is 810 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 81044 for the United Kingdom); wait for a second dial tone after dialling 8, followed by 10. International Direct Dialling is available in most cities. Internal dialling is used; the code for Kiev is (8)44. The GSM 900/1800 network coverage is fairly widespread, but international roaming is fairly expensive. There are Internet cafes available in Kiev, and other main cities.

Homosexuality is legal and generally tolerated in the Ukraine.

Travellers to the Ukraine can bring in 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco products; 1 litre of spirits and 2 litres of wine; and goods for personal use, as well as goods with a total value of EUR200, without incurring customs duty. Prohibited items include items that can have an impact on the environment, and agricultural goods and live animals.

Electrical current in Ukraine is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are round pin attachment variety with two pins.

Immunisation against diphtheria, hepatitis A, tick-borne encephalitis and rabies should be considered before travel to the Ukraine. Typhoid vaccinations are recommended for long-term travellers who might eat outside of major hotels and restaurants. Tap water is best avoided, or treated by boiling or with chemicals. Bird flu has been confirmed in parts of Crimea, but no human infections have been reported. Travellers are not at risk, but close contact with domestic, caged and wild birds should be avoided, and all poultry and egg dishes well cooked as a precaution. HIV is widespread and the level of sexually transmitted diseases is high. Due to the risk of exposure to pollutants and radioactive materials, swimming in the Dnieper River should be avoided. Comprehensive medical insurance is advised, and visitors are advised to bring a supply of personal medication.

Ukrainian is the official language, but Russian is also widely spoken.

The official currency is the Hryvnia (UAH), which is divided into 100 kopecks. Banks are usually open Monday to Friday until 3pm, and readily exchange Hryvnia for hard currency (banknotes only). US dollars and Euros are exchanged easily at banks and currency offices, and while other currencies can also be exchanged, they are not as widely accepted. ATMs are widely available in all major cities. Travellers cheques are not widely accepted and attract high commission rates and lengthy paperwork. Major restaurants, shops and hotels accept Visa, MasterCard and EuroCard; however credit cards are not widely accepted, particularly in remote areas and smaller establishments. Outside the main cities it is advisable to carry a supply of local currency.

Applicants for tourist visas require a letter of confirmation from a hotel or tour company; for business visas a letter of invitation from a company or organisation in the Ukraine is required. However EU citizens do not require a tourist visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Citizens of the US, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Slovakia and Turkey do not need invitation letters to obtain a visa. On arrival, all foreign nationals must fill in an Immigration Card, to be presented when entering and leaving the country. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Foreigners are lucrative targets for petty theft and street crime in the Ukraine, and valuables should be kept out of sight, especially in crowded areas and at tourist spots. Particular care should be taken on public transport and overnight trains.

Local time in Ukraine is GMT +2 (GMT +3 between March and October).

Tipping is fairly new in the Ukraine and expected in restaurants, usually 5-10% of the bill. In more upmarket establishments 10% is more the norm if not already included in the bill. Drivers are not usually tipped.