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Ukrainian Independence
Ukrainian parliament declares independence from USSR following attempted coup in Moscow. In a nationwide referendum in December, 90% vote for independence -
Orange Revolution
Orange Revolution begins after reports of widespread vote-rigging in presidential election nominally won by pro-Russian candidate Viktor Yanukovych. Opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko leads mass street protests and civil disobedience. Supreme Court annuls result of poll. -
New President
Viktor Yanukovych is declared winner in presidential election, judged free and fair by observers. His main rival, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, is arrested for abuse of powers and eventually jailed in October 2011. -
Severing ties with EU
President Yanukovych's cabinet abandons an agreement on closer trade ties with EU, instead seeking closer co-operation with Russia. Ukrainian MPs also reject a bill to allow Yulia Tymoshenko to leave the country. Small protests start and comparisons with the Orange Revolution begin. -
Protestors Show Support
Protesters occupy Kiev city hall and Independence Square in dramatic style, turning it into a tent city. Biggest demonstration yet sees 800,000 people attend demonstration in Kiev. -
Economic Assistance
Vladimir Putin throws President Yanukovych an economic lifeline, agreeing to buy $15bn of Ukrainian debt and reduce the price of Russian gas supplies by about a third. -
First Deaths
Parliament passes restrictive anti-protest laws, Days later two people die of gunshot wounds as clashes turn deadly for first time. Third death reported as the body of high-profile activist Yuriy Verbytsky is found. Protesters begin storming regional government offices in western Ukraine. -
No Compromise
Prime Minister Mykola Azarov resigns and parliament annuls the anti-protest law. Parliament passes amnesty bill promising to drop charges against all those arrested in unrest if protesters leave government buildings. Opposition rejects conditions. -
First Signs of Peace
All 234 protesters arrested since December are released. Kiev city hall, occupied since 1 December, is abandoned by demonstrators, along with other public buildings in regions. -
More Violence Ensues
Kiev sees its worst day of violence for almost 70 years. At least 88 people are killed in 48 hours. Video shows uniformed snipers firing at protesters holding makeshift shields. -
Opposition Agreement
President Yanukovych signs compromise deal with opposition leaders. -
Day of Changes
- President Yanukovych disappears
- Protesters take control of presidential administration buildings
- Parliament votes to remove president from power with elections set for 25 May
- Mr Yanukovych appears on TV to denounce "coup"
- His arch-rival Yulia Tymoshenko is freed from jail
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New President
Parliament names speaker Olexander Turchynov as interim president. An arrest warrant is issued for Mr Yanukovych, and the acting president warns of the dangers of separatism. Members of the proposed new government appear before demonstrators, with Arseniy Yatsenyuk nominated prime minister. The elite Berkut police unit, blamed for deaths of protesters, is disbanded. -
Building in Crimea Seized
Pro-Russian gunmen seize key buildings in the Crimean capital, Simferopol. Unidentified gunmen in combat uniforms appear outside Crimea's main airports. At his first news conference since fleeing to Russia, Mr Yanukovych insists he remains president. -
Force Now Allowed
Russia's parliament approves Vladimir Putin's request to use force in Ukraine to protect Russian interests. Pro-Russian rallies are held in several Ukrainian cities outside Crimea, including the second-biggest city Kharkiv. Barack Obama tells Mr Putin to pull forces back to bases. -
U.S. Says Russia in Control
Ukraine's interim PM Yatsenyuk says Russia has effectively declared war. US says Russia is in control of Crimea. -
Putin Talks
Vladimir Putin breaks his silence, saying the armed men besieging Ukrainian forces in Crimea are not Russian troops but are self-defence forces. -
Referendum Scheduled
Crimea's parliament votes to join Russia and schedules a referendum for 16 March. -
US and France Threaten Russia
The US and France warn of "new measures" against Russia if it does not withdraw its forces from Ukraine. Warning shots are fired at international monitors trying to enter Crimea. -
US Stands with Ukraine
Barack Obama pledges to stand with Ukraine during a meeting with interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk at the White House. -
National Guard Created
Ukraine's parliament votes to create a 60,000-strong National Guard to defend the country. -
Referendum Results
Official results from Crimea's secession referendum say 97% of voters back a proposal to join Russia. -
Travel Ban Imposed
The EU and US impose travel bans and asset freezes on several officials from Russia and Ukraine over the Crimea referendum. -
Individual Sanctions
EU leaders gathered in Brussels condemn Russia's "annexation" of Crimea and extend the list of individuals targeted for sanctions. The US also extends sanctions. -
Ukraine leaves Crimea
Ukrainian troops leave Crimea, following emotional farewells to wives and family members left behind. The pullout follows an order by Ukraine's acting President Oleksandr Turchynov. -
US Cautions Russia
Amid signs of a big build-up of Russian forces on Ukraine's eastern border, US President Barack Obama urges Moscow to "move back its troops" and lower tensions. -
Partial Withdrawal
Russian President Vladimir Putin orders a "partial withdrawal" of troops from the border with Ukraine, the German government announces. -
NATO Takes Action
Nato foreign ministers suspend all practical civilian and military co-operation with Russia at a meeting in Brussels. The military alliance also says it sees no sign of a Russian troop pullout from Ukraine's border. -
Protestors Occupy Buildings
Protesters occupy government buildings in the eastern cities of Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv, calling for a referendum on independence. Ukraine authorities regain control of Kharkiv government buildings the next day. -
Gas Turmoils
Russian President Vladimir Putin says that gas supplies to Ukraine could be cut if Kiev does not pay off its debts, and warns this could affect gas deliveries to Europe. -
Anti-Terrorist Operation
Ukraine's acting President, Olexander Turchynov, announces start of "anti-terrorist operation" against pro-Russian separatists. -
Talks in Geneva
Russia, Ukraine, the US and the EU say they have agreed at talks in Geneva on steps to "de-escalate" the crisis in eastern Ukraine. Three people are killed when Ukrainian security forces fend off a raid on a base in Mariupol. In Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin warns Ukraine is heading into an "abyss" by confronting pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country. He also dismisses claims that Russian agents are acting in eastern Ukraine. -
Geneva Agreement, broken?
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accuses Kiev of breaking the Geneva agreement. Kiev releases photos as "proof" of Russian soldiers operating in eastern Ukraine - what the photos say. -
Observers Captured
Eight OSCE international military observers are detained by pro-Russian separatists near Sloviansk, accused of being spies. -
Conscription Required
Acting President Olexander Turchynov reinstates conscription, warning Ukraine is on "full combat alert". Pro-Russians take over the regional prosecutor's office in eastern Donetsk. -
Observers Released
Seven international military observers held for a week by pro-Russian gunmen in eastern Sloviansk are released..