UKRAINE CRISIS, ANNEXATION OF CRIMEA
Following the February revolution, Ukraine’s political landscape shifted rapidly. Refusing to recognise the new Kiev government and dubbing the revolution a coup d'état, Russia moved to secure its existing military installations within Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula. As unidentified troops secured government buildings Pro-Russia separatists sought to consolidate their local power and Sergey Aksyonov declared himself be Crimea’s new Prime Minister Aksyonov requested Russian help in maintaining order in Crimea, while Moscow deployed troops and armour and by March 21 Crimea was cut-off from Ukraine and totally under Russian control.
In January, parliament passed restrictive anti-protest laws as clashes turn deadly. Protesters began storming regional government offices in western Ukraine. Prime Minister Mykola Azarov resigned and parliament annulled the anti-protest law. Parliament passed amnesty bill but opposition rejects conditions.
In February all 234 protesters arrested since December were released. Kiev city hall, occupied since December 1, was abandoned by demonstrators, along with other public buildings in regions. Several clashes erupted, with reasons unclear, 18 were dead. Kiev saw its worst day of violence for almost 70 years. At least 88 people were killed in 48 hours. Video showed uniformed snipers firing at protesters holding makeshift shields. On February 21 President Yanukovych signed compromise deal with opposition leaders.
On February 22 President Yanukovych disappeared and protesters took control of presidential administration buildings. Parliament voted to remove president from power with elections set for May 25. Yanukovych appeared on TV to denounce "coup". His arch-rival Yulia Tymoshenko was freed from jail.
In March, Russia's parliament approved President Vladimir Putin's request to use force in Ukraine to protect Russian interests. Crimea's secession referendum on joining Russia was backed by 97 percent of voters, organisers said, but vote condemned by West as a sham. President Putin signed a bill to absorb Crimea into the Russian Federation. US President Barack Obama urged Moscow to "move back its troops" and lower tensions.
In April Ukraine's acting president ordered the re-launch of military operations against pro-Russian militants in the east.
Ukraine in May elected Petro Poroshenko as president in an election not held in much of the east.
Rebels abandoned their command centre at Sloviansk in the face of a government offensive in July. Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 from Amsterdam was shot down near the village of Grabove in rebel-held territory, with the loss of 298 lives on July 17. The EU and US announced new sanctions against Russia. On September 5, Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels signed a truce in Minsk. President Putin in October ordered thousands of troops stationed near the Ukrainian border to return to their bases. Pro-Western parties won Ukraine's parliamentary elections.
Separatists during November in eastern Ukraine elected new leaders in polls backed by Russia and denounced by the West. President Poroshenko accused the rebels of jeopardising "the entire peace process" and said Ukrainian forces should prepare defences against separatist attack. Nato commander Gen Philip Breedlove said Russian military equipment and Russian combat troops were seen entering Ukraine in columns over several days.
Source: BBC
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