1. And The Crisis in Ukraine
Post Cold War Europe
And
The Crisis in
Ukraine

2. Post Cold War Europe
After the Cold War ended Eastern European nations made the transition to capitalist democracies East and West Germany united and thrived. For some it was more difficult, there were hard times In the 1990s civil war in former Yugoslavia left 140,000+ dead and 4,000,000 displaced by ethnic cleansing as it broke up into smaller states. Gradually most nations joined the European Union, and even NATO This included the Baltic States (former Soviet Republics Latvia, Estonia & Lithuania)

4. Economic Crisis
Europe was hurt Economically when the stock and bond markets crashed in 2007 Some European governments went broke (Greece, Italy, Ireland & Spain) Since then the European Union has practiced austerity … Higher Taxes and Less Government Spending to avoid more Government going broke. This has had only limited success and the economy continues to struggle. Especially in Spain and Greece

5. The Ukraine 2004 The “Orange Revolution”
The Ukraine became an independent republic in 1991
Ukraine is culturally divided into Ukrainian and Russian
Ukrainians, are the majority, speak their own language and are often Catholic. Most favor a close relationship with Europe Leaders: Yulia Tymmoshenko & Victor Yuschenko
Russians, are a large minority
They speak Russian and favor a close relationship with Russia
Leader: Victor Yanukovych
2004 The “Orange Revolution”
Victor Yanukovich wins a rigged election.
Protests force the courts to annul the result
Yushenko wins the election rerun

6. Yanukovych, a pro-Russian was elected president in 2010
He was seen as Putin’s Puppet, favoring close links to Russia
While the majority wanted to join the EU (European Union)
He was also very corrupt,
2013 He rejects closer ties to the EU, soon protests began
protests turned to violence.
In December protestors occupy the capitol’s (Kiev) city hall
After a crack-down on protestors in Jan. and Feb. 2014
During which International pressure rose
Yanukovych sneaks out of the country to Russia.
A new pro-European Union government led by Tymoshenko formed

8. Russia’s Response
Anti-Kiev propaganda the new goverfnment is called Nazis
Sieze control of Crimea, using Russian soldiers without insignia
Hold a sham election…Crimea votes to leave Ukraine and Join Russia
Support with weapons supplies and men Russian speaking rebels in East Ukraine
9/5/2014 the “Minsk Agreement” is sopposed to be a ceasefire in Eastern Unkraine
But fighting between the Gov. and rebels continues.