Nato Says 3000 Russian Troops Are In Ukraine
Ukraine Crisis: Timeline Of Key Events
Updated: 9:51am UK, Thursday 04 September 2014
Sky News looks at where tensions began, after well-armed and well-equipped troops in Russian combat gear appear to work alongside rebel forces in south-eastern Ukraine.
:: November 21: President Viktor Yanukovych of Ukraine refuses to proceed with a historic EU trade deal.
Simultaneously, its Parliament rejects a bill that would have enabled Yulia Tymoshenko, a former Prime Minister jailed in 2011 for abuse of powers, to fly abroad for medical treatment.
:: November 24: Ukrainians were angered when the deal fell through. In the days and months that followed, tens of thousands of people protested in Kyiv – rallying against Yanukovych’s “corrupt government” and plans to strengthen ties with Russia.
:: February 22: Following months of clashes, with crowds swelling to 800,000 in Kyiv, Parliament votes to oust President Yanukovych.
An election is set for May 25, and ex-PM Yulia Tymoshenko makes an impassioned speech in Independence Square. But Yanukovych, who has fled from the country, claims he was the victim of a coup on television.
:: February 23: Anti-government protesters occupy the presidential palace, and are stunned at what the lavish 345-acre compound contains.
:: February 24 and 25: Oleksandr Turchynov assumes responsibility as Ukraine’s Acting President.
An arrest warrant is issued for Yanukovych amid accusations that he orchestrated the “mass murder” of protesters. Moscow stands by him, claiming his power was stolen by “armed mutineers”.
:: February 27-28: The Crimean Parliament is seized by separatists, and the Russian flag is raised above the building. Two major airports in the region are occupied by gunmen.
:: March 16: A referendum is held by the Crimean Parliament to determine whether the region should join Russia. Results show 97% of voters backed the motion.
:: April 7: Pro-Russian protests spread into other cities in east Ukraine: Donetsk, Lugansk and Kharkiv. Separatists occupy government buildings and demand votes on independence in each area.
:: May 25: A presidential election takes place in Ukraine, but many voters in the east find their polling stations closed. Petro Poroshenko – also known as the Chocolate King – is elected, and sworn in on June 7.
:: July 17: Following on from sanctions being imposed on Moscow by the US and EU, as well as hundreds of deaths as fighting continued, a Malaysia Airlines flight is shot down over Donetsk, killing 298 people.
:: August 23: Ukraine accuses Russia of a “direct invasion” after at least 100 aid trucks cross into its territory without permission.
Officials in Kyiv feared they were being used to smuggle supplies to pro-Russian separatists.
:: August 29: Nato claims 1,000 Russian troops had entered Ukraine with hi-tech equipment, making “direct contact” with Ukrainian forces and causing casualties.
:: August 31: The EU gives Russia a week to scale back its intervention, or face new sanctions. But Russia’s Foreign Ministry claims that Ukrainian troops are the ones who need to pull back, as they could harm civilians.
:: September 3: Conflicting reports emerge of a permanent ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine.