Unrest in the Ukraine
Ukraine, a nation of 45 million people and bordering four European Union countries — Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania—stands a pivotal moment in history as it chooses between the East and The west. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych announced that he was not going to sign an Association Agreement for far-reaching political and trade agreements with the European Union and instead pursue agreements with the Russian-led customs union. In reaction to the Yanukovych’s decision to suspend further European integration, protestors stormed a landmark plaza and government buildings looking for Ukraine to turn back towards the West. Ukraine is in an increasingly critical economic crisis and is desperate need of economic aid. Economic challenges have forced Ukraine to make a weighty decision between moving forward with the hard-hitting economic and political reforms for required for EU integration and risk economic retaliation from Russia or choose to stay with the Russian-led customs union.
http://AtlanticCouncil.org/Ukraine
29th Jul 2013 - 28th Nov 2013
Russia Halts Ukraine Chocolate Imports
Russia halted imports of chocolate from one of Ukraine's main confectionary makers, Roshen, saying its products fall below safety standards. This along with other restrictions on Ukrainian imports was seen as retaliation for Ukraine's efforts to integrate further with the EU. Russia asked Belarus and Kazakhstan, as members of its Customs Union, to ban Roshen’s products as well.
View on timeline13th Aug 2013 - 14th Aug 2013
Russia Declares Ukrainian Goods "High Risk"
Russian officials suddenly demanded that commercial trucks leaving Ukraine for Russia be completely unloaded, inspected item by item, and then reloaded. According to the Ukrainian Employers Union, a trade association that represents many of Ukraine's largest exporters, border officials said Moscow has declared all goods from Ukraine to be "high risk." It lifted the restrictions after a week, but a senior economic aide to President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia said they could become permanent if Ukraine signed the EU Association Agreement.
View on timeline22nd September 2013
Russia Warns Ukraine over EU Deal
Russian presidential adviser, Sergei Glazyev, warned that tariffs and trade checks that Russia would impose after Ukraine signed a deal with the EU could cost Ukraine billions of dollars and could result in a default.
View on timeline20th November 2013
Russia Issues Warning to Ukraine
Russian Prime Minster Dmitry Medvedev told Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov at a regional meeting in St. Petersburg Ukraine would risk the Russia-led customs union imposing tariffs on its goods if it signs the EU free-trade accord.
View on timeline21st November 2013
Yanukovych Suspends EU Plans
Under the threat of crippling trade sanctions by Russia, President Yanukovych announced that it has suspended its plans to sign a far reaching political trade agreement with the European Union to instead pursue new partnerships with Russia's customs union. This comes after Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedec told Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov Ukraine would risk the Russia-led customs union imposing tarffs on its goods if Ukraine signed the EU agreement.
View on timeline22nd November 2013
Protest in Kyiv Begin
Pro-EU Protestors occupied the landmark plaza, Independence Square, and other government buildings.
View on timeline28th Nov 2013 - 29th Nov 2013
Vilnius Summit
The Vilnius Summit was the third conference for the Eastern Partnership program held in Vilnius, Lithuania. During the summit. President Yanukovych proposed a trilateral trade agreement that included Russia. EU Commission President Jose Barosso rejected the proposal and Ukraine left the summit without signing the Association Agreement.
View on timeline30th November 2013
Clashes Between Protestors and Police in Kyiv
Clashes erupted in the Independence square between police and protesters, with some demonstrators occupying city administration buildings. Various government officials and opposition leaders including Yury Lutsenko, a former interior minister and now head of the opposition Third Ukrainian Republic, and leader of the opposition Udar party, Vitali Klitschko, encourage the protestors to not to stand down.
View on timeline3rd December 2013
Prime Minister Apologizes for Use of Force by Police
Prior to the non-confidence vote in parliament, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov apologized for the use of force by police against the pro-EU protestors on November 30.
View on timeline3rd December 2013
Government Survives Non-Confidence Vote
The Ukraine Parliament defeated a measure calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and his government.
View on timeline6th December 2013
Yanukovych Visits Russia
President Yanukovych and President Putin held brief talks in Sochi after Yanukovych made an official visit to China.
View on timeline8th December 2013
Symbolic Lenin Statue in Kyiv is Toppled
Demonstrators in Kyiv toppled a statue of the Soviet Union founder, Vladimir Lenin. More than 100,000 demonstrators swarmed into the neighborhood that includes the parliament, presidential administration, and government headquarters in an attempt to blockade the area.
View on timeline9th December 2013
Riot Police Attempt to Dismantle Protestor Barricades
Police in full riot gear attempted to dismantle protestor barricades that had been blocking access to government buildings including City Hall. Security forces appeared to pull out early in the morning.
View on timeline10th Dec 2013 - 11th Dec 2013
Western Diplomats Visit Kyiv
Western Diplomats including Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland and the European Union Foreign Policy Chief, Catherine Ashton for talks with President Viktor Yanukovych and to reinforce the EU's call for dialogue between the Ukrainian government and opposition. Ashton announced that during her meeting with Yanukovych, the President assured her that Ukraine aims to sign an EU agreement and also discussed Ukraine’s concerned about short term economic challenges.
View on timeline15th December 2013
Massive Rally In Kyiv
An estimated 200,000 pro-EU demonstrators continue their protest against President Yanukovych in Independence Square. US Senator, John McCain addressed the demonstrators pledging US support for their cause saying, ""America stands with you. We are here because your peaceful process and peaceful protest is inspiring your country and inspiring the world."
View on timeline16th December 2013
US Senators John McCain and Chris Murphy Visit Kyiv
US Foreign Policy Senators John McCain and Chris Murphy visit Kyiv. Senator McCain addressed the demonstrators sayings, “We are here to support your just cause: the sovereign right to determine [Ukraine’s] own destiny freely and independently. And the destiny you seek lies in Europe.” Also on Friday, senators issued a resolution calling for the United States to consider sanctions in case there is further violence against peaceful demonstrators.
View on timeline17th December 2013
Russia and Ukraine Sign Deal
Russian President Putin offered to buy $15 billion-worth of Ukrainian bonds through a Russian emergency fund and promised to cut the price of Russian natural gas by one-third. Russia supplies nearly 60 percent of Ukraine’s natural gas. Ukraine is estimated to save $7 billion every year because of Russia's new price for gas for Ukraine Prime Minister Azarov called the deal "historic" and said it would give Ukraine economic and financial stability. Azarov said without the package, Ukraine faced "bankruptcy and social collapse." Pro-EU protestors vowed to continue protesting and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said ties with Russia should not prevent Ukraine from looking West.
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