RT
2013? Was that before the start of the war ? If so its a completely different ball game from your memories of more peaceful times
The Ukrainian revolution of February 2014 (also known as the Euromaidan Revolution or Revolution of Dignity Ukrainian: Революція гідності) took place after a series of violent events involving protesters, riot police and unknown shooters in capital Kiev that resulted in the ousting of the then-President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych.[21][22][23][24] This was immediately followed by a series of changes in quick succession in Ukraine's sociopolitical system, including the formation of a new interim government, the restoration of the previous constitution, and the call to hold impromptu presidential elections within months.[21]
Since the break up of the Soviet Union, Ukraine had been mired by years of corruption, mismanagement, lack of economic growth, currency devaluation, and an inability to secure funding from public markets.[25] Since 2004 Ukraine sought to establish closer relations with the European Union (EU) and Russia.[26][27] One of these measures was an association agreement with the European Union which would provide Ukraine with funds contingent on reforms.[28] Yanukovych ultimately refused to sign the agreement at the urging of Russia.[29] Thereafter, Yanukovych signed a treaty and multi-billion dollar loan with Russia instead, which sparked civil unrest in Kiev that ultimately led to violent clashes as law enforcement troops cracked down on protesters.[30] As tensions rose, Yanukovych fled the country to Russia and has not returned.
After the 2014 revolution, Russia refused to recognize the new interim government, calling the revolution a "coup d'état"[31] and initiated a covert invasion of the Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine.[32][33] The newly appointed interim government of Ukraine signed the EU association agreement and committed to adopting reforms in its judiciary and political system, as well as in its financial and economic policies. The foreign investments came from the International Monetary Fund in the form of loans amounting to more than $18 billion contingent upon Ukraine adopting reforms.[34]
The revolution was followed by pro-Russian unrest in some south-eastern regions,[35][36] a standoff with Russia regarding the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol,[37][38] and a war between the government and Russia-backed separatists in the Donbass.[39][40][41]