of questions about the Russian government’s actions, the big picture is much clearer,

now that the dust has settled. Let’s take a look at the timeline of events surrounding

Crimea’s annexation.

Feb. 2014 Violent anti-government protests spark the

Ukrainian revolution and the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych.

Feb. 23, 2014 Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a secret

meeting about extracting the deposed Yanukovych and annexing Crimea from Ukraine.

Feb 27, 2014 Heavily armed pro-Russian gunmen occupy the

Crimean parliament and allegedly force the emergency instatement of a new pro-Russian

Prime Minister.

March 1, 2014 The new Crimean Prime Minister takes control

of Ukraine’s security forces, and officially asks Russia to “provide assistance in ensuring

peace”. Russia pledges the use of their armed forces in Ukraine.

March 4, 2014 President Putin tells reporters that the unidentified

soldiers occupying Crimean military bases are not Russian, and says that Russia will

not try to annex Crimea.

March 6, 2014 A planned referendum to accede Crimea to Russia

is condemned by the Ukrainian government, the US and the EU.

March 13, 2014 Russia announces massive military exercises

along the Ukrainian border. The US Department of State calls this an intimidation attempt

in the lead up to the referendum.

March 16, 2014 Officials report that 95.5% of Crimean voters

support joining Russia in the referendum, but many residents abstain. No international

observation of the vote is allowed.

March 17, 2014 The Crimean parliament officially joins the

Russian Federation. US President Barack Obama announces sanctions against Russian and Ukrainian

officials.

March 24-27, 2014 The G8 votes to oust Russia over the “unconstitutional”

referendum, they become the G7. Additionally, 100 countries support a UN resolution calling

the March 16th referendum illegal.

May 4, 2014 Russia accidentally releases documents suggesting

the referendum vote may have been falsified.

March 9, 2015 President Vladimir Putin admits that despite

originally denying any involvement, the invasion and annexation of Crimea was planned all along.

In the year since, a number of hard-hitting sanctions have been imposed on Russia by the

United States and their international allies; crippling the Russian economy. In spite of

widespread condemnation, Putin has made no concessions regarding Crimea, and may have

his eye on the rest of Ukraine.

To learn more about the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, please watch our video here.

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