The Russia–Ukraine War: Perspectives on Conflict and Resolution

Introduction
– Ukraine gained its independence with the dissolution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). This process began when the Parliament of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic approved the document declaring the country’s independence on 24 August 1991.
– The results of the Ukrainian referendum held in December 1991 revealed overwhelming popular support for the idea of Ukrainian independence (more than 90% of those taking part in the referendum voted in favour of independence).
– In the same historical conjuncture (on 8 December 1991), the Agreement Establishing the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was signed in Minsk by the heads of state of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine.
– Ukraine left the Commonwealth after Russia’s annexation of Crimea in March 2014.
– Viktor Yanukovych, who is Russian on his mother’s side, had stood as a presidential candidate in 2004 while Governor of the Donbas region. After the protests (the Orange Revolution) that began against his victory in the second round of the election, former Prime Minister Viktor Yushchenko took the presidential seat.
– In the 2010 election, Viktor Yanukovych was elected president, defeating Prime Minister Tymoshenko, one of the leaders of the Orange Revolution. Yanukovych rejected the EU association agreement, preferring instead a Russian loan bailout package and the pursuit of closer relations with Russia. Demonstrations then began again. In January 2014 the protests led to street clashes. In 2014, after an assassination attempt, Yanukovych fled to Russia. On 22 February 2014 the Ukrainian parliament voted to remove Yanukovych from office. Two days later, an arrest warrant was issued for Yanukovych, accusing him of “the mass killing of civilians”. On 24 January 2019 he was sentenced in absentia by a Ukrainian court to thirteen years’ imprisonment for high treason.
– After the annexation of Crimea in 2014, Ukraine prioritised policies of strengthening cooperation with NATO and seeking full membership of the EU. The banning of the Russian language and the ending of church unity increased tension between the parties.