Ukraine and the UN

8/11/2019 Ukraine and the UN

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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 whichsaw 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 ViktorYanukovych 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 tensionsbetween Kiev and Moscow.


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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 ofthe deal and decision to seek a Russian bailout triggered protests which led to hisouster.

Mr Poroshenko promised a dialogue with residents of eastern Ukraine and to guaranteetheir rights, including the right to speak Russian. He also promised to quickly end therevolt 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 largepockets of heavy industry in the east.

While Ukraine and Russia share common historical origins, the west of the country has closerties with its European neighbours, particularly Poland, and Ukrainian nationalist sentiment isstrongest 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 thatwas 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 fallof 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 anddeath to millions in Ukraine, the bread basket of the USSR. Not until its twilight years did theSoviet 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 wascontaminated 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 toomuch 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.


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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 thegoverning 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 ViktorYushchenko, who won the presidency.

Mr Yushchenko succeeded in carrying out some democratic reform, but moves towards Natoand EU membership were slowed by divided public opinion in Ukraine and Western reluctanceto 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 presidentialelection. He swiftly re-oriented foreign and trade policy towards Russia, clamped down onmedia freedom, and had various opponents, most prominently Ms Tymoshenko, imprisoned intrials seen at by many as politically-motivated.

Although trade with EU countries now exceeds that with Russia, Moscow is the largestindividual trading partner. Ukraine depends on Russia for its gas supplies and forms animportant 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 eventualEU membership - again fuelled tensions with Russia. The government's decision to drop theagreement 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 fourmonths later.

As an opposition-led interim government Ukraine prepares for fresh elections, Moscow hasbrought international tension to crisis point by sending troops to annex Crimea while stokingseparatist sentiment in eastern Ukraine.

At a glance

Politics: Mass protests force out pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych in 2014.Electionsscheduled for 25 May

Economy: Dependence on steel exports makes Ukraine vulnerable to global financialturmoil. Months of political chaos have left the country short of funds

International: Russian annexation of Crimea and encouragement of separatism in theeast put Ukraine at heart of a stand-off between Moscow and West


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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 ofUkraine'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.

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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.

2001April - 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.


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2002 March - General election results in hung parliament. Parties opposed to

President Kuchma allege widespread electoral fraud.


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.


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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.

2004August - Ukraine ignores protests from EU and Romania by opening canalin 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 laterannuls result of poll.


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 electionre-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.


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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


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


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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 thepresident 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.


Yulia Tymoshenko

Hero of the Orange Revolution was jailed for abuse of power in 2011, but freed

after the 2014 revolution

Profile: Yulia Tymoshenko
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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.

2010April - 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.


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2010August - 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.


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.


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2011April - 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 ofabuse 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 offormer 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.

2012October - First parliamentary elections since President Yanukovych came

to power see a decisive win for his governing Party of Regions and a surpriseboost 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.

2013April - European Court of Human Rights rules unanimously that the arrest

and detention of Yulia Tymoshenko in 2011 was unlawful.

New revolution


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2013July - 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.

2013December - 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.


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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.

2014April-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.

Ukraine and the UN

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