In many languages you place a definitive article before the noun.  It's just an honest mistake.  Don't get all huffy and paranoid and brand people "illiterates" over someone's error. Doesn't Ukraine come from "Krayina" meaning frontier land originally?  And by the way, the poster is referring to "The Ukraine official" meaning he/she has a specific person (noun) in mind.  Hence the article could be considered correct.  Much like "pass THE MILK".  so please, save your charge of illiteracy.