Russia Ukraine war, page-241062

There was no coup in Ukraine.

These eventsillustrate that Yanukovych’s removal resulted from a popular uprising, his ownactions in abandoning office, and the Rada’s legal response to fill the powervacuum — not an orchestrated coup.

Here are a list of reasons why.
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1. Yanukovych’s Refusal to Sign the EU Agreement (November 2013): Yanukovych rejects the EU Association Agreement in favor of closer ties with Russia, sparking the Euromaidan protests.
2. Mass Popular Protests Begin (November 2013): Protests erupt in Kyiv, eventually growing into mass demonstrations across Ukraine, demanding democratic reforms and anti-corruption measures.
3. Yanukovych’s Repression of Protests (Late 2013 - Early 2014): Yanukovych’s government violently cracks down on protesters, leading to further escalation of unrest.
4. Sniper Incident and Deaths of Protesters (February 2014): Security forces allegedly open fire on protesters, resulting in dozens of deaths and intensifying public anger.
5. Yanukovych’s Political Isolation (February 2014): Following the escalation of violence, members of Yanukovych’s Party of Regions begin to distance themselves from him.
6. Yanukovych Flees Kyiv (February 21, 2014): Yanukovych abandons Kyiv amid mounting protests and flies to Kharkiv, leaving a power vacuum in the capital.
7. Yanukovych Departs Ukraine for Russia (February 22, 2014): Yanukovych flees to Russia, effectively abandoning his position and leaving Ukraine without a sitting president.
8. Rada’s Emergency Vote (February 22, 2014): The Ukrainian parliament (Rada) votes to declare Yanukovych unable to fulfill his duties, citing his departure and abandonment of office.
9. Rada’s Transfer of Power to Speaker (February 23, 2014): In accordance with Article 112 of the Constitution, the Rada transfers presidential powers to the Speaker of Parliament, Oleksandr Turchynov.
10. Rada’s Supermajority Vote (February 23, 2014): A broad-based vote, supported by members of Yanukovych’s own party, passes to formally remove him from office.
11. Formation of Interim Government (February 2014): An interim government is formed, led by Oleksandr Turchynov as acting president.
12. Constitutional Court Review (Early 2014): Ukraine’s Constitutional Court does not rule against the legality of the Rada’s actions in removing Yanukovych.
13. International Recognition of Interim Government (February-March 2014): The U.S., EU, and international bodies recognize the new Ukrainian government.
14. Russia’s Annexation of Crimea (March 2014): Russia annexes Crimea shortly after Yanukovych’s removal, leveraging the political instability in Ukraine.
15. Public Support for New Government (March-May 2014): Polls show strong public backing for the interim government and its moves to stabilize the country.
16. OSCE Confirms Fair Elections (May 2014): The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) confirms that the presidential election was free and fair.
17. Petro Poroshenko Elected President (May 25, 2014): Poroshenko wins the presidential election, with international observers recognizing the vote’s legitimacy.
18. Democratic Transition of Power (June 2014): Poroshenko assumes office as the new president of Ukraine, marking a peaceful and democratic transition.
19. Continued Public Denunciation of Yanukovych (Throughout 2014): Civil society leaders and prominent political figures continue to denounce Yanukovych’s corruption and mismanagement.
20. Russia’s Military Support for Separatists (2014 Onwards): Russia provides military backing to separatists in Eastern Ukraine, fueling further conflict.
21. Russian Narrative of “Coup” Emerges (Mid 2014): Russian state media begins promoting the narrative that Yanukovych’s removal was a coup.
22. Ukrainian Legal Justifications (Throughout 2014): Ukrainian legal scholars argue the Rada’s actions were justifiable under the circumstances of national crisis.
23. Annexation of Crimea Draws International Condemnation (2014): Russia’s annexation of Crimea is condemned by the international community as a violation of international law.
24. New Ukrainian Government Gains Legitimacy (Late 2014): Ukraine’s new government consolidates power, with further elections and democratic processes reinforcing its legitimacy.
25. Russian Military Involvement in Donbas (Ongoing): Russian military actions in Eastern Ukraine continue to destabilize the region, complicating Ukraine’s recovery and feeding into the coup narrative.