Ukraine found itself in turmoil following the ousting of pro-Russian President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych in February 2014. This was followed by a series of changes including the installation of a new interim government, restoration of an older version of the Constitution, and the call to hold impromptu presidential elections within months. Russia has accused the US and the EU of funding and supporting the anti-Yanukovych movement. It has also refused to recognise the new interim government, and seized control of the Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine. This led to a showdown between the western countries and Russia with the former slapping sanctions against the latter. Russia, however, maintains that it is their duty to protect pro-Russia supporters in the south-east Ukraine who are being targeted by the interim government of Ukraine. Even though the Ukrainian presidential elections are scheduled to be held on May 25, 2014, pro-Russian activists held a referendum on May 11, 2014, to decide the fate of eastern Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has described the presidential elections as a move ‘in the right direction’. Image Courtesy: DigitalGlobe
Text Courtesy: Wikipedia; BBC
