Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Poland’s GDP per head has more than tripled to over $20,000. Ukraine’s has crept up from $5,000 to around $8,000.
It shows how solid governance and economic integration makes countries richer.
Poland’s transition to democracy and the free market was relatively smooth and trade ties were cemented by EU entry in 2004.
Ukraine is still a corrupt oligarchy reliant on foreign aid, and is years away from joining Europe.