Diego Avendaño
Dec.1, 1991: Ukraine Becomes Independent
Shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union, Ukraine voted for independence. The Ukrainian people overwhelmingly support becoming a sovereign state. Ukraine is the second-largest country in Europe by land-mass and has a sizable population of ethnic Russians.
Dec. 5, 1994: The Budapest Memorandum Is Signed
The Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances was signed in late 1994. This document was signed following Ukraine’s agreement to transfer all nuclear weapons from the Cold War to the Russian Federation, making Ukraine a non-nuclear power.
November – December 2004: The Orange Revolution Overturns Election Results
A presidential election between Viktor Yushchenko, a Western-oriented candidate, and Viktor Yanukovych, who was supported by Russia, creates a massive controversy. Yushchenko was mysteriously poisoned before the election but was able to recover. Victory was declared in favor of Yanukovych but the election was widely seen as fraudulent. Ukrainians take to the street wearing orange, which was Yushchenko’s campaign color. By December, protestors were able to force a re-vote, resulting in a victory for Yushchenko.
April 3, 2008: Russia Fights Ukrainian NATO Membership
In April of 2008, a NATO summit began with intense debate about extending a Membership Action Plan (MAP) to Ukraine. In order to gain membership to NATO, countries must first have a MAP. Putin makes his opposition to Ukrainian membership known to NATO leaders, at one point allegedly telling President George W. Bush that Ukraine is “not even a real nation-state.” NATO does not offer Ukraine a MAP.
November 2013 to February 2014: Euromaidan Protests Prompt Sudden Change in Government
After promising to work toward a relationship with the European Union, President Yanukovych changes political direction and begins to orient Ukraine toward Russia. This, combined with the controversial arrest of political opponent Yulia Tymoshenko, spark widespread protests about perceived government corruption. There are protests across the country where 130 people, primarily civilians, are killed.
February 2014 to March 2014: Russia Seizes Crimea, Creating International Outrage
Russia seizes Crimea, in the aftermath of the Euromaidan protests. Russian troops occupy key sites on the peninsula, wearing military uniforms with Russian insignias removed. The annexation prompts international outrage and is condemned by the United Nations and the European Union.
April 21, 2019: Volodymyr Zelenskyy Elected President of Ukraine
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a former comedian, overwhelmingly defeated the pro-Russia incumbent Petro Poroshenko in a presidential election. Zelenskyy’s party also wins a majority of seats in the parliament, this is a first in Ukrainian history. Zelenskyy’s campaign promises include ending the war with Russia and rooting corruption out of the Ukrainian government.
December 2021: Putin Demands Security Guarantees
Early in 2021, Zelenskyy cracked down on pro-Russian Ukrainian oligarchs. Subsequently, Putin deploys increasing numbers of troops near the Ukrainian border and publishes an article claiming that Russians and Ukrainians are “one people.” By December, tens of thousands of Russian troops are deployed to the borders and Putin issues demands to NATO and the United States.
Feb. 21, 2022: Russia Recognizes Breakaway Ukrainian Regions as Sovereign
In 2014, the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk broke away from Ukraine, under the leadership of what the Ukrainian government considered to be Russian-backed terrorists. Following the breakdown of relations with NATO and the West in late February, Putin recognized these territories as independent states and sent troops in to “keep the peace.”
Feb. 24, 2022: Russia Launches Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine
Days after recognizing the breakaway territories, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The invasion began in the eastern Ukrainian territory of Donbas. Zelenskyy declared martial law in Ukraine and officially broke diplomatic ties with Russia. Putin’s actions were condemned across the world and within Russia.
And that is how this terrible and controversial war was unleashed. From my point of view both countries are to blame, here no country is good and none is bad. Likewise, we can see how this war has harmed the whole world, the price of gasoline and oil have skyrocketed, energy costs, the stability of financial markets and the export of agricultural products begin to feel the consequences of the conflict.
Bibliography:
A Timeline of the Russia-Ukraine Conflict | Best Countries ... https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/slideshows/a-timeline-of-the-russia-ukraine-conflict.
“Conflict in Ukraine | Global Conflict Tracker.” Council on Foreign Relations, Council on Foreign Relations, https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/conflict-ukraine.
Kirby, Jen, and Jonathan Guyer. “The Increasingly Complicated Russia-Ukraine Crisis, Explained.” Vox, Vox, 9 Feb. 2022, https://www.vox.com/22917719/russia-ukraine-invasion-border-crisis-nato-explained.