the (before countries)

most writers no longer use "the" before countries like Ukraine, Congo, and Sudan. Michelle Dzulynsky (in Copy Editor), says, "Ukrainians do get irate when the article the is added in front of Ukraine because of the many years our people and our nation were forced to be a part of the Soviet Union. It may seem petty, but to a nation that struggled for many years to have its voice heard or even its identity recognized" the small difference is important. The next time you see "Ukraine" in print, note that there is no "the" there.