Ukraine: 8 years of conflict
With a balance of more than 14,000 people dead, the 8 years of internal and external conflicts have led Ukraine to one of the most worrying crises for Eastern Europe.
Few political analysts could glimpse what the future held when in 2013, former President Viktor Yanukovych, on November 21, made the announcement of postponing the signing of the Association Agreement with the European Union.
After he left the country in February, due to the great riots where more than 100 people died, early elections were held due to a power vacuum, and Petro Poroshenko was elected.
Poroshenko's policy was based on being closer to the EU and NATO, distancing himself from Russia.
From the moment that the estrangement with Russia was definitive, the conflict accelerated its pace, especially in the Donetsk basin (known as Donbas), an area located to the east of Ukraine, bordering Russia and with a majority Russian population.
After 8 years, the result has been an armed conflict that has resulted in more than 14,000 deaths, 1.4 million displaced people and almost 4 million people in need of humanitarian aid.
Conflict timeline
On March 16, 2014, in Crimea, a referendum for independence and annexation to Russia was held, winning the “yes”.
On the 20th of the same month, the Duma (Russian legislative assembly) ratifies the victory and Crimea becomes Russian territory. On March 24 Ukraine withdraws its military forces from the territory.
On April 6 and 7, the pro-Russians take possession of the administrative headquarters in the eastern states of Ukraine. Days later, in Odessa, clashes left 46 dead.
Donetsk and Lugansk declare themselves independent on May 12 and request integration with Russia. On the 25th of that month, in the midst of clashes, Petro Poroshenko wins the presidential elections in Ukraine.
On July 17, the Malaysian Airlines plane with 298 people was shot down in Donesk. Four years later, the international commission appointed for the investigation determined that the demolition was caused by a missile from the Russian army.
For September 5, Ukraine and Russia agree to a ceasefire, however, a week later Ukraine denounced to the UN the violation of the pact by the pro-Russians.
The elections to the legislative chamber annexed to Crimea and the port of Sevastopol were held on September 14, where Vladimir Putin's party was victorious.
The President of Ukraine, on January 26, 2015, announces a state of emergency in Donetsk and Luganks. On October 2 of the same year, a summit was held in Paris with the presidents of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany for the withdrawal of weapons from both sides.
On December 16, the Ukrainian government sanctions the state of Crimea by blocking trade routes.
Months later, on March 3, 2017, in response, Donetsk breaks commercial ties with all of Ukraine. Between Ukraine and the European Union they reached the "Association Agreement" that entered into force on September 1.
On August 31, 2018, Alexander Zajárchenko, leader of Donetsk, is killed by an explosion in the city center.
On November 11, elections are held in the separatist regions, with the pro-Russian leaders victorious.
Volodimir Zelensky, who was a comedian, would win the April 21, 2019 presidential election. Being his first language is Russian, he was closely linked to the pro-Russians.
Ukraine and Russia resume the dialogue process on December 8, two days later, the presidents reach an agreement for peace.
On June 3, 2020, the Lugansk congress declares Russian as the only official language of the territory.
By February 3, 2021, tension between Ukraine and Russia increased again, under accusations of mobilizing soldiers to the borders in the face of a possible offensive.
On April 13, Russia sends soldiers and three airborne units to the western borders of Ukraine.
Four days later, Russian warships headed for the Black Sea.
On August 23, NATO promotes in Kiev " The Crimean Platform " that was signed by 46 states, in which they demand the return of the invaded territories from the Russian state.
On December 16, the European Union warns Russia that if it invades Ukraine they will be highly penalized.
On January 14, Ukraine is the victim of a cyber attack against state websites. A week later, the Russian army announced large-scale mobilizations where almost 10,000 soldiers and 140 warships were deployed.
On January 23, Antony Blinken warns Moscow about “strong responses” in the event of an invasion.
The last week has been one of ups and downs, from the president of Ukraine publicly berating the president of the United States, Joe Biden, to Emmanuel Macron serving as a mediator for a diplomatic solution to the crisis.
To this day, several Eastern European countries have already sent military and economic support for the defense of Ukraine. Days ago, Joe Biden confirmed that he would have sent more than 500 million dollars between military equipment and economic aid for Ukraine.