(Reuters) – Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24. Here is a timeline of Ukraine’s fraught relationship with Moscow because it gained independence in 1991 and the events that led to the present battle.
1991: Shortly after the autumn of the Soviet Union, Ukraine declares independence from Moscow.
2004: Pro-Russian candidate Viktor Yanukovich is asserted president however allegations of vote-rigging set off protests, referred to as the Orange Revolution, forcing a re-run of the vote. Pro-Western former prime minister, Viktor Yushchenko, is elected president.
2005: Yushchenko takes energy with guarantees to lead Ukraine out of the Kremlin’s orbit, in direction of NATO and the EU.
2008: NATO guarantees Ukraine it would in the future be a part of the alliance.
2010: Yanukovich wins a presidential election.
2013: Yanukovich’s authorities suspends commerce and affiliation talks with the EU and opts to revive financial ties with Moscow, triggering months of mass rallies in Kyiv.
February 2014: Parliament votes to take away Yanukovich after bloodshed within the protests. Within days, armed males seize parliament within the Ukrainian area of Crimea and lift the Russian flag. Moscow later annexes the territory.
April 2014: Pro-Russian separatists within the japanese area of Donbass declare independence. Some 15,000 individuals have been killed since 2014 in combating between the separatists and the Ukrainian military, in accordance to the Kyiv authorities.
2017: An affiliation settlement between Ukraine and the EU opens markets at no cost commerce of items and companies, and visa-free journey to the EU for Ukrainians.
2019: Former comedian actor Volodymyr Zelenskiy is elected president.
Jan. 2021: Zelenskiy appeals to U.S. president Joe Biden to let Ukraine be a part of NATO. In February, his authorities freezes the belongings of opposition chief Viktor Medvedchuk, the Kremlin’s most distinguished ally in Ukraine.
Spring 2021: Russia begins massing troops close to Ukraine’s borders in what it says are coaching workouts.
Nov. 2021: Satellite pictures taken by Maxar Technologies present ongoing buildup of Russian forces close to Ukraine with estimates quickly surpassing 100,000 troops deployed.
Dec. 17 2021: Russia presents safety calls for together with that NATO pull again troops and weapons from japanese Europe and bar Ukraine from ever becoming a member of.
Jan. 24 2022: NATO places forces on standby and reinforces japanese Europe with extra ships and fighter jets.
Jan. 26: Washington responds to Russia’s safety calls for, repeating a dedication to NATO’s “open-door” coverage whereas providing a “pragmatic analysis” of Moscow’s issues. Two days later Russia says its calls for not addressed.
Feb. 2022: Amid rising Western fears Russia might assault Ukraine, the United States says it would ship 3,000 additional troops to NATO members Poland and Romania. Washington and allies say they won’t ship troops to Ukraine, however warn of extreme financial sanctions if Russian President Vladimir Putin takes navy motion.
Feb. 21: In a TV deal with, Putin says Ukraine is an integral half of Russian historical past and has a puppet regime managed by overseas powers. Putin orders what he referred to as peacekeeping forces into two breakaway areas in japanese Ukraine, after recognising them as impartial.
Feb. 22: The U.S., Britain and their allies sanction Russian parliament members, banks and different belongings in response to Putin’s troop order. Germany halts the Nord Stream 2 gasoline pipeline venture.
Feb. 23: Russian-backed separatist leaders ask Russia for assist repelling aggression from the Ukrainian military.
Feb. 24: Putin authorizes “particular navy operations” in Ukraine. Russian forces start missile and artillery assaults, hanging main Ukrainian cities together with Kiev.
Feb. 26: Western allies announce new sanctions, together with restrictions on Russia’s central financial institution and expelling key banks off the primary international funds system.
(Editing by Silvia Aloisi; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel)
