Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea. Most of the territory of what is modern Ukraine was annexed by Poland and Lithuania in the 14th century. Ukrainian peasants who fled the Polish effort to force them into servitude came to be known as Cossacks. The Cossacks established their own colonies and led several revolts against Polish rule, but eventually they turned to the Russians for protection. During the latter part of the 18th century, most Ukrainian territory was absorbed by the Russian Empire. Ukraine was able to bring about a short-lived period of independence (1917-20) following the collapse of czarist Russia in 1917, but it became a republic within the Soviet Union in 1922. Ukraine gained independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Shortly after independence, Ukraine named a parliamentary commission to prepare a new constitution and adopted a multi-party system. But democracy remained elusive as the legacy of state control and corruption stalled efforts on economic reform, privatization, and civil liberties. A peaceful mass protest "Orange Revolution" in late 2004 forced the authorities to overturn a rigged presidential election and to allow a new internationally monitored vote that brought Viktor Yushchenko in power, who is set to step down after failing to win a second term in January 2010 presidential elections. With rich farmlands, a well-developed industrial base, highly trained labor, and a good education system, Ukraine has the potential to become a major European economy. However, Ukraine’s economy remains burdened by excessive government regulation, corruption, and lack of law enforcement.