UKRAINE

Population: 44.9 million (UN, 2012)

Capital: Kiev
Area: 603,700 sq km (233,090 sq miles)
Major languages: Ukrainian (official), Russian
Major religion: Christianity
Life expectancy: 64 years (men), 75 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 hryvnya = 100 kopiykas
Main exports: Military equipment, metals, pipes, machinery, petroleum products,
textiles, agricultural products
GNI per capita: US $3,130 (World Bank, 2011)
Internet domain: .ua
International dialling code: +380
President: Petro Poroshenko
Mr Poroshenko won the presidential election
amid turmoil
Petro Poroshenko won the presidential election of May 2014 at a time of crisis which
saw the ouster of his predecessor, the loss of the region of Crimea to Russia and a
separatist rebellion in the east of the country.
The vote was seen as a critical step toward resolving Ukraine's protracted turmoil.
Mr Poroshenko, a billionaire chocolate factory owner, won an unprecedented first round
victory in the elections which were held three months after pro-Russian President Viktor
Yanukovych was chased from office by crowds following months of street protests.
Russia said it was ready to talk to Mr Poroshenko, raising hopes of an easing of tensions
between Kiev and Moscow.


And Mr Poroshenko said he wanted to sign a landmark trade deal with the European
Union which had been at the heart of the crisis. Mr Yanukovych's last-minute rejection of
the deal and decision to seek a Russian bailout triggered protests which led to his
ouster.
Mr Poroshenko promised a dialogue with residents of eastern Ukraine and to guarantee
their rights, including the right to speak Russian. He also promised to quickly end the
revolt there.

Ukraine gained independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and has since
veered between seeking closer integration with Western Europe and reconciliation with Russia,
which supplies most of the country's energy.
Europe's second largest country, Ukraine is a land of wide, fertile agricultural plains, with large
pockets of heavy industry in the east.
While Ukraine and Russia share common historical origins, the west of the country has closer
ties with its European neighbours, particularly Poland, and Ukrainian nationalist sentiment is
strongest there.
A significant minority of the population of Ukraine use Russian as their first language,
particularly in the industrialised east. In Crimea, an autonomous republic on the Black Sea that
was part of Russia until 1954, ethnic Russians make up about 60% of the population.
Russia once again seized and annexed Crimea in March 2014, amid the chaos following the fall
of President Viktor Yanukovych, plunging European into its worst diplomatic crisis since the
Cold War.
In 1932-1933, Stalin's programme of enforced agricultural collectivisation brought famine and
death to millions in Ukraine, the bread basket of the USSR. Not until its twilight years did the
Soviet Union acknowledge the extent of the suffering.
News of another Soviet-era calamity, the 1986 accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power station,
rang alarm bells around the world immediately. About 8% of Ukraine's territory was
contaminated as were large areas in neighbouring Belarus. Millions have suffered as a result.
Independence
The first president after independence, former Communist Party official Leonid Kravchuk,
presided over rapid economic decline and runaway inflation. His successor, Leonid Kuchma,
oversaw a steady economic recovery, but was accused by the opposition of conceding too
much to Russian economic interests.
This opposition to Mr Kuchma grew, further fed by discontent at controls on media freedom,
manipulation of the political system and cronyism.
The authorities' attempt to rig the 2004 presidential elections led to the "Orange Revolution",
with reference to the colour of the main opposition movement.
Europe or Russia?
Mass protests, a revolt by state media against government controls and the fracturing of the
governing coalition brought in European-Union mediation and a re-run of the election.
A fragile alliance of anti-Kuchma forces united behind pro-Western former prime minister Viktor
Yushchenko, who won the presidency.
Mr Yushchenko succeeded in carrying out some democratic reform, but moves towards Nato
and EU membership were slowed by divided public opinion in Ukraine and Western reluctance
to antagonise a resurgent Russia.
Rivalry with his prime minister, Yulia Tymoshenko, soured into open antagonism, and neither
proved able to cope with the worldwide economic downturn after 2008.
Their opponent in the Orange Revolution, Viktor Yanukovych, won the 2010 presidential
election. He swiftly re-oriented foreign and trade policy towards Russia, clamped down on
media freedom, and had various opponents, most prominently Ms Tymoshenko, imprisoned in
trials seen at by many as politically-motivated.
Although trade with EU countries now exceeds that with Russia, Moscow is the largest
individual trading partner. Ukraine depends on Russia for its gas supplies and forms an
important part of the pipeline transit route for Russian gas exports to Europe.
Moves to reach an association agreement with the EU - seen as a key step towards eventual
EU membership - again fuelled tensions with Russia. The government's decision to drop the
agreement brought tens of thousands of protesters out onto the streets in November 2013,
eventually forcing the collapse and flight of the Yanukovych government in violent chaos four
months later.
As an opposition-led interim government Ukraine prepares for fresh elections, Moscow has
brought international tension to crisis point by sending troops to annex Crimea while stoking
separatist sentiment in eastern Ukraine.
At a glance
Politics: Mass protests force out pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych in 2014.
Elections scheduled for 25 May
Economy: Dependence on steel exports makes Ukraine vulnerable to global financial
turmoil. Months of political chaos have left the country short of funds
International: Russian annexation of Crimea and encouragement of separatism in the
east put Ukraine at heart of a stand-off between Moscow and West
Ukraine profile
Previous
Overview
Facts
Leaders
Media
Timeline
Next
A chronology of key events
1917 - Central Rada (Council) set up in Kiev following collapse of Russian
Empire.
Millions of people, such as these farmers pictured
near Kiev in 1934, died in a man-made famine
1918 - Ukraine declares independence: Ukrainian People's Republic set up.
Numerous rival governments vie for control for some or all of Ukraine during
ensuing civil war.
1921 - Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic established as Russian Red Army
conquers two-thirds of Ukraine. Western third becomes part of independent
Poland.
1932 - Approximately 7 million peasants perish in man-made famine during
Stalin's collectivisation campaign.
1937 - Mass executions and deportations as Stalin launches purge against
intellectuals.
1941 - Ukraine suffers terrible wartime devastation as Nazis occupy the country
until 1944. More than 5 million Ukrainians die fighting Nazi Germany. Most of
Ukraine's 1.5 million Jews wiped out by the Nazis.
German troops storm a
house in Sevastopol in 1942 during their occupation in which millions lost their lives
1944 - Stalin deports 200,000 Crimean Tatars to Siberia and Central Asia
following accusations of collaboration with Nazi Germany.
1945 - Allied victory in World War II leads to conclusive Soviet annexation of
western Ukrainian lands.
1954 - In a surprise move, Soviet leader Nikita Krushchev transfers the Crimean
peninsula to Ukraine as a "gift".
Armed resistance to Soviet rule ends with capture of last commander of
Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).
1960s - Increase in covert opposition to Soviet rule, leading to repression of
dissidents in 1972.
Continue reading the main story
Nuclear disaster

Chernobyl blast released a radioactive cloud over Europe
1986: Soviets admit nuclear accident
In Pictures: Inside Chernobyl
Chernobyl - Ukraine's new tourist destination
1986 - A reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power station explodes, sending a
radioactive plume across Europe. Desperate efforts are made to contain the
damaged reactor within a huge concrete cover. Many armed forces personnel die
of radiation sickness.
1988 - Prominent writers and intellectuals set up Ukrainian People's Movement
for Restructuring (Rukh).
1990 - Student protests and hunger strikes bring down government of Vitaliy
Masol.
Independence
1991 - Ukraine declares independence following attempted coup in Moscow:
90% vote for independence in nationwide referendum in December.
Early to mid 1990s - About 250,000 Crimean Tatars and their descendants
return to Crimea following collapse of Soviet Union.
1994 - Presidential elections: Leonid Kuchma succeeds Leonid Kravchuk.
1996 - New, democratic constitution adopted. New currency, the hryvna,
introduced.
1997 - Friendship treaty signed with Russia. Ukraine and Russia also reach
agreement on the Black Sea fleet.
Journalist Georgiy Gongadze was murdered in 2000
1999 - Death penalty abolished. Nationalist leader Vyacheslav Chornovil killed in
car crash. President Kuchma re-elected.
2000 - Chernobyl nuclear power plant is shut down, 14 years after the accident.
Well over ten thousand people have died as a direct result of the explosion, the
health of millions more has been affected.
2001 February - The European Union calls for an inquiry into the murder of
investigative journalist Georgiy Gongadze. Opposition demonstrations allege that
President Kuchma was involved and call for his impeachment. President Kuchma
denies the allegations.
2001 April - Viktor Yushchenko government dismissed following no-confidence
vote in parliament. Mr Yushchenko was respected in the West for fighting
corruption, pushing ahead with economic reforms and working to attract
investment, but was unpopular with powerful Ukrainian businessmen.
2001 June - Pope John Paul II makes first visit to Ukraine amid protests by
Orthodox Christians in Ukraine and Russia against the visit.
2001 October - Ukrainian military accidentally shoot down Russian air liner over
the Black Sea, killing all 78 on board. Defence Minister Olexander Kuzmuk
resigns.
2002 March - General election results in hung parliament. Parties opposed to
President Kuchma allege widespread electoral fraud.
Continue reading the main story
Leonid Kuchma

Leonid Kuchma was forced out by popular pressure. His rule was tainted by
scandal, corruption charges
2002 May - Leadership announces decision to launch formal bid to join Nato.
2002 September - Opposition stages mass protests demanding resignation of
President Kuchma whom they accuse of corruption and misrule.
Relations with the West are strained after US officials authenticate recordings in
which they say Kuchma is heard to approve the sale of early-warning radar
systems to Iraq. On the same tapes, recorded over two years previously,
Kuchma is also allegedly heard ordering an official to "deal with" journalist
Georgiy Gongadze.
2002 November - President Kuchma sacks Prime Minister Kinakh. Viktor
Yanukovych, governor of Donetsk region, appointed to replace him. He promises
to fight poverty and work for integration into Europe.
2003 March - Tens of thousands of people join Kiev demonstrations demanding
that Kuchma resign.
2004 June - Consortium in which President Kuchma's son-in-law Viktor Pinchuk
plays key role buys Krivorizhstal, the country's largest steel mill, for a bargain
price.
2004 August - Ukraine ignores protests from EU and Romania by opening canal
in the Danube delta which will link with Black Sea, rejecting claims that it will
cause environmental damage.
"Orange Revolution"
2004 November - Official count indicates presidential election victory for Prime
Minister Viktor Yanukovych. Western and other independent observers report
widespread vote rigging. Opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko launches
campaign of mass street protest and civil disobedience. Supreme Court later
annuls result of poll.
Continue reading the main story
Orange Revolution

Orange-clad opposition supporters took to Kiev's streets and forced a change of
government
2004 December - Opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko tops poll in election
re-run. Rival candidate Viktor Yanukovych challenges result but resigns as prime
minister.
2005 January - Viktor Yushchenko sworn in as president after Supreme Court
rejects challenge by losing candidate Mr Yanukovych.
2005 February - President's nominee Yulia Tymoshenko overwhelmingly
approved as prime minister by parliament.
2005 Februrary - Court annuls June 2004 sale of Krivorizhstal.
2005 March - President Yushchenko announces that suspected killers of
journalist Georgiy Gongadze are in custody. He also accuses the former
authorities of a cover-up.
Former Interior Minister Kravchenko, who had been due to give evidence in
Gongadze investigation, shot dead in apparent suicide.
Tymoshenko sacked
2005 September - President Yushchenko dismisses the government of Yulia
Tymoshenko. Parliament approves Yuri Yekhanurov as her successor.
2005 October - Krivorizhstal reauctioned. Mittal Steel pays six times the price
paid for it when it was originally put up for sale.
Gas price row
Continue reading the main story
Capital: Kiev

Kiev has a long and turbulent history
Population: 2.6 million
Founded in 6th-7th century AD
Capital of first East Slavic state by 9th century
1941-43: Occupied by German forces
2006 January - Russia briefly cuts supply of gas for Ukrainian use in row over
prices. Moscow says its reasons are purely economic but Kiev says they are
political.
Previously agreed changes to constitution shift some significant powers from the
president to parliament.
The trial of three former policemen charged with killing opposition journalist
Georgiy Gongadze begins in Kiev.
2006 March - Viktor Yanukovych's party tops polls in parliamentary elections.
Yulia Tymoshenko's takes second place, leaving President Yushchenko's trailing
in third.
Political wrangles
2006 June-July - After months of bargaining, the backers of the Orange
Revolution - the Yushchenko and Tymoshenko blocs and the Socialists - agree
on a coalition, but the deal collapses. The Socialists opt instead for a coalition
with Viktor Yanukovych's Party of Regions and the Communists.
Continue reading the main story
Yulia Tymoshenko

Hero of the Orange Revolution was jailed for abuse of power in 2011, but freed
after the 2014 revolution
Profile: Yulia Tymoshenko
2006 August - Faced with a deadline to accept Viktor Yanukovych's nomination
or call new elections, President Yushchenko agrees that his rival can become
prime minister.
2007 February - Boris Tarasyuk, a close ally of the president and a strong
advocate of strong ties with Europe and Nato, resigns as foreign minister after a
protracted row with parliament.
2007 September - Parliamentary elections. No clear winner emerges, although
pro-Russian parties gain a narrow majority.
Tymoshenko returns
2007 December - Yulia Tymoshenko is appointed prime minister again, in
coalition with President Yushchenko's party.
2008 March - Russia's state-owned company, Gazprom, agrees new contract to
supply Ukraine's industrial consumers directly, ending row over gas supply.
Economic woes
2008 October - Global financial crisis leads to decline in demand for steel,
causing price of one of the country's main exports to collapse. Value of Ukrainian
currency falls sharply and investors pull out.
Continue reading the main story

Viktor Yushchenko spearheaded the Orange Revolution but disappointed in
office
Profile: Viktor Yushchenko
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) offers Ukraine a loan of $16.5bn
(10.4bn) to help it weather the storm.
2009 January - Russia stops all gas supplies to Ukraine after collapse of talks to
end row over unpaid bills and prices, leading to shortages in southeast Europe.
Supplies are restored a week later when Ukraine and Russia sign a 10-year deal
on gas transit.
2009 July - Ukrainian security service says a key suspect in the murder of the
opposition journalist Georgiy Gongadze in 2000 has been arrested and has
confessed to the killing.
2009 December - Ukraine and Russia sign deal on oil transit for 2010, allaying
fears of supply cuts to Europe.
Yanukovych comeback
2010 February - Viktor Yanukovych is declared winner of second round of
presidential election. His main rival, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, refuses to
accept the result, alleging fraud.
2010 March - Yulia Tymoshenko steps down from the premiership after a number
of her supporters in parliament switch sides and she loses a no-confidence vote.
President Yanukovych appoints his long-standing ally Mykola Azarov to succeed
her.
2010 April - Ukraine agrees to eliminate its stockpile of weapons-grade nuclear
material ahead of the Washington nuclear security summit.
Parliament ratifies an agreement to extend Russia's lease on the Black Sea fleet
base at Sevastopol in Crimea for 25 years, in return for cheaper gas imports.
2010 June - Parliament votes to abandon Nato membership aspirations.
2010 July - International media freedom watchdogs criticise a Kiev court's
decision to cancel the allocation of broadcasting frequencies to two privately-run
TV channels.
2010 August - IMF approves fresh $15bn (9bn) loan for Ukraine, subject to the
government curbing the subsidising of utilities bills.
2010 October - Constitutional court overturns limits on presidential power
introduced in 2004.
2010 November - President Yanukovych vetoes a tax reform that had prompted
thousands of business owners and opposition activists to protest in city centres
nationwide. The reform was part of austerity measures demanded by the IMF as
a condition of the bailout approved in August.
Continue reading the main story
Topless protesters

Feminist activists started campaigning for women's rights at home but have gone
global
2010 December - Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and Interior Minister
Yuriy Lutsenko are charged with abuse of state funds. Both deny the charges
and say they are politically motivated.
2011 March - Ex-President Leonid Kuchma is charged over the 2000 murder of
journalist Georgiy Gongadze. He denies any part in the killing.
The IMF puts its $15bn bailout on hold in response to the government's failure to
pass a pension reform bill and its watering down of gas price increases.
2011 April - The main suspect in the Gongadze killing, former interior minister
official Olexiy Pukach, goes on trial. He is said to have confessed to strangling
and beheading Gongadze.
2011 October - A court jails former PM Tymoshenko after finding her guilty of
abuse of power over a gas deal with Russia in 2009. EU warns Ukraine of
"profound implications".
2011 May-June - Ukraine postpones summit of Central and East European
leaders in Yalta after several leaders boycott it over the mistreatment of
opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko in prison. Others boycott the Euro 2012
football championship.
2012 July - The European Court of Human Rights condemns the detention of
former interior minister Yuriy Lutsenko and demands his release and
compensation.
Police in Kiev fire tear gas to disperse hundreds of protesters angry at a law
pushed through parliament with little debate that gives Russian regional
language status.
2012 October - First parliamentary elections since President Yanukovych came
to power see a decisive win for his governing Party of Regions and a surprise
boost for the far-right Freedom party. OSCE observers, the United States and the
European Union express concern at the conduct of the poll.
2012 December - Government resigns to allow a number of ministers, including
Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, to take up seats in parliament. Government
remains in office on an acting basis.
2013 April - European Court of Human Rights rules unanimously that the arrest
and detention of Yulia Tymoshenko in 2011 was unlawful.
New revolution
2013 July - Russia halts imports of chocolate from one of Ukraine's main
confectionary makers, Roshen, saying its products fall below safety standards, in
what is seen as retaliation for Ukraine's efforts to integrate further with the EU.
Months of at times violent protests culminated in the collapse of the Yanukovych government in 2014
2013 November - Tens of thousands of protesters take to the streets of central
Kiev and other cities to protest at the government's sudden decision to abandon
plans to sign an association agreement with the EU. They accuse the
government of bowing to Russian pressure, as well as being corrupt and
unaccountable.
2013 December - Russia agrees to slash price of gas supplied to Ukraine and
lend $15bn to mollify protesters.
2014 February - Security forces kill at least 77 protesters in Kiev. President
Yanukovych flees to Russia, opposition takes control under interim president
Olexander Turchynov and acting prime minister Arseny Yatseniuk. Russia
refuses to recognise takeover.
2014 March - Russian forces help separatists seize power in Crimea, which
Russia then annexes, prompting the biggest East-West showdown since the
Cold War. US and its European allies impose sanctions on Russia.
2014 April-May - As Ukraine prepares for early presidential elections, pro-
Russian elements stoke separatist sentiment in eastern and south-west Ukraine.
Fatal clashes with security forces and a build-up of Russian troops raise
international tension.
2014 May - Petro Poroshenko wins presidential election.
2014 July - A Malaysian airliner comes down in rebel-held territory, killing all 298
people on board. It is believed to have been shot down. The UN Security Council
calls for a full inquiry.