What can be inferred about Ukraine?

Officials in Russia say it will send at least 200,000 tons of grain to Ukraine which has been hit by severe food shortages. President Putin’ s press office said he decided to aid Ukraine, the Soviet Union’s former breadbasket, during a telephone conversation with its president Leonid Kuchma. Food prices have soared in Ukraine following a poor harvest exacerbated by a harsh winter and a spring drought.