How powerful is Ukraine?

Igor Markov EECS Prof at Michigan Has nothing to do with Markov chains or the namesake politician Replied thru Quora on Aug 31 2018

Ukraine is a country that is larger than France and Germany by territory, but not by population. Ukraine has vast natural resources, including fertile lands and major ore deposits. The people are well educated and entrepreneurial. The road and railroad networks are well-developed, sea port facilities are in a good shape. Energy generation is extensive and diverse (coal, hydro-electric and nuclear). Ukraine's location is convenient for trade.

Ukraine's military is currently among the largest in Europe (250K people) but lacks high-tech equipment, with a weak airforce and navy. Ukraine's ground forces are powerful and battle-tested, but are mostly defensive. Ukraine cannot project military power far beyond the borders, but can complement more advanced militaries effectively. Ukraine's high-tech and defense industries were geared to supply the Russian military-industrial complex - many Russian military systems, such as helicopters and air-to-air missiles, as well as space-launch systems, relied on critical Ukrainian components (such as helicopter engines, infra-red sensors, and naval turbines). This has changed abruptly in 2014, and Ukraine is now making own weapons systems, including tanks and a variety of missiles. Ukraine is also a major weapons supplier to China and India. Ukraine just started production of a new medium-size cargo airplane, with orders from Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan.

Ukraine's fundamental weakness is internal corruption which undermines the economy. This is gradually improving, but will take years before the economy strengthens significantly.

Lastly, Ukraine is doing a reasonably good job developing soft power - the ability to influence other countries without military and monetary means.