Russia Ukraine war

Originally posted by eddiebop: ↑

2013. Yanukovich signed a mileston $10bn deal with Royal dutch shell to co-develop a massive gas field located in Eastern Ukraine.

This deal would have meant that Ukraine would have become a little richer, and Europe would have become a little less reliant on Russian gas.

Just before the coup, Yanukovich was presented with a choice. Sign the EU-Association agreement (which required Yanukovich implement a series of austerity measures, that would have been unpopular with Ukrainians) or accept a loan from Russia as well as considerable gas discounts (cheap gas - cheap energy - population is happy). What would you choose?

Unfortunately USA backed a coup, less than a year later and overthrew a democratically elected leader. There was a bit of hope, when the opposition and Yanukovich signed a deal, which was supposed to put an end to all the hostilities.
But one of the "minority" oppositon leaders (Dmytro Yarosh) heading the far-right "nationalist" party (neo-nazis) refused to honour the agreement, andd continued with the violence. Yanukovich was threatened with death, unless he left Kiev.

Then there's the US-hand-picked interim government that launched a war against Donetsk and Lugansk, just because they wanted some autonomy.

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None of that is true of course.... A Putin puppet who was responsible for for an increasingly corrupt government. He squeaked into government in a questionable process... Very unlike Zelenksy, a man of the people. Landslide win.

Failure to Sign EU Association Agreement:

In November 2013, Yanukovych's decision to suspend negotiations for a trade agreement with the European Union (EU) and instead pursue closer ties with Russia sparked widespread protests. Many Ukrainians, especially in the west and central regions, saw EU integration as a path to modernization and prosperity. This decision alienated a significant portion of the population.
Euromaidan Protests:

The protests, which started as peaceful demonstrations in Kyiv's Maidan Square, quickly grew into a nationwide movement after Yanukovych’s use of force to disperse protesters. The government's violent crackdown on demonstrators, particularly in early 2014, escalated tensions and resulted in the deaths of over 100 people. This further galvanized opposition against Yanukovych.
Corruption and Abuse of Power:

Yanukovych's presidency was marred by allegations of corruption, nepotism, and embezzlement. His lavish lifestyle, symbolized by his luxurious estate in Mezhyhirya, became a focal point for public outrage. Many saw his regime as representing the interests of a corrupt elite rather than the people.
Economic Decline:

Under Yanukovych’s leadership, Ukraine's economy struggled. Corruption and mismanagement led to economic stagnation, rising inflation, and increased unemployment. The government's failure to address these issues deepened public dissatisfaction.
Loss of Parliamentary Support:

In February 2014, after months of protests and violence, Yanukovych lost support within the Ukrainian parliament (Verkhovna Rada). Lawmakers passed a resolution calling for his removal, and the majority of his political allies abandoned him, weakening his grip on power.
Fleeing the Country:

On February 22, 2014, as the situation escalated, Yanukovych fled Kyiv and eventually went into exile in Russia. His departure left a power vacuum, which was quickly filled by the opposition. The Ukrainian parliament formally removed him from office on the grounds that he had abandoned his duties.
Russian Influence:

Yanukovych’s alignment with Russia, particularly after rejecting the EU deal, contributed to growing tensions. His decision to pursue closer ties with Russia rather than with the West alienated many Ukrainians, particularly in the pro-European western regions of the country.