Ukrainians (,
ukrayintsi, ) are an
East Slavic ethnic group native to
Ukraine, which is by total population the sixth-largest nation in
Europe. The
Constitution of Ukraine applies the term 'Ukrainians' to all its citizens. Also among historical names of the people of Ukraine Rusyns (Ruthenians),
Cossacks, etc. can be found. According to some dictionary definitions, a descriptive name for the "
inhabitants of Ukraine" is
Ukrainian or
Ukrainian people.
Belarusians and
Russians are considered the closest relatives of Ukrainians, while
Rusyns are either considered another closely related group, or an ethnic subgroup of Ukrainians.