1. Kiev, Ukraine

2. Why is the Ukraine in Turmoil?

3. The People Two-thirds of Ukraine’s citizens are ethnic Ukrainians whose first language is Ukrainian. One-sixth is ethnic Ukrainians who speak Russian. Another one-sixth is ethnic Russians, who live primarily in the east and south near the Russian border.

4. Conflict This division of ethnic differences creates a a division among the people of Ukraine.

5. Russia’s President Putin Most Ukrainians want a separation from Russia. Most Ukrainians eager to break from their past. Most resent Putin’s involvement in the Ukraine. Putin wants the Ukraine to lean toward Russia instead of western Europe and the EU.

6. Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych On Nov. 21, 2013, President Viktor made a last minute decision to abandon a crucial trade deal with Europe and the EU in favor of closer economic ties with Russia.

7. Protest in the Ukraine The protests began in December of 2013, triggered by the Ukrainian president’s sudden refusal to sign an association agreement with the European Union. Many in the country prefer such mixing with the EU over closer ties to Russia. The protests have since grown into broader anti- government sentiment.

8. “Dear subscriber, you are registered as a participant in a mass disturbance.” President Viktor makes protest illegal.

9. The Turmoil Begins Angry protesters, already suspicious of Viktor’s ties with Putin, flooded the center of Kiev in Ukraine. Within three days, protests were at extremely high levels. Putin provides Viktor and his government with emergency financing.

10. Ukraine’s Parliament On Saturday, Members of the Parliament of Ukraine – which has been witnessing mass protests since last November – voted to remove President Viktor Yanukovych, and an arrest warrant has reportedly been issued for his arrest. The move comes after more than 100 people were killed last week in the latest wave of deadly clashes in the capital, Kiev. Ukrainian President Viktor is forced to resign.

11. KIEV, Ukraine — Russian leaders expressed their distrust and dislike of the new government of Ukraine on Monday, saying it came to power through “armed mutiny,” just hours after the authorities here announced a nationwide manhunt for ousted president Viktor Yanukovych on charges of “mass murder of peaceful civilians.”

12. The sudden collapse of the Kremlin-backed government in Ukraine has for now delivered a profound setback to Russia’s President Vladimir V. Putin’s strategy to deepen political and economic ties with the country and thus keep it from embracing Europe.

13. Why has Russia gotten so involved? Eastern Ukraine and the Crimea have closer ties to Russia, while Western Ukraine is more friendly with Europe. Many Eastern Ukrainians still speak Russian, and the 2010 presidential elections divided the country with Eastern Ukraine voting heavily in favor of pro-Russia Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych. On Saturday, the Kremlin issued a statement that Russian President Vladimir Putin told U.S. President Barack Obama that Russia approved military action in Ukraine because it "reserves the right to defend its interests and the Russian- speaking people who live there."

15. Russia puts troops on the Crimean peninsula

16. Why is Crimea Important? Click here.

17. Russia’s Propaganda War Russia is claiming thousands of Ukrainians are escaping to Russia. That’s half true. Thousands of Ukrainians are escaping …to Poland.

18. March 2014: Russia annexes Crimea Crimea: Part of Ukraine, but has many ethnic Russians. Russian military cut off the Crimean peninsula from the rest of Ukraine. Naturally, Russia claimed that Crimeans wanted to be part of Russia – Ukraine says otherwise. Local leadership declared the peninsula independent – then asked for admittance into the Russian Federation. The United States, along with many other nations, does not recognize the legitimacy of the Crimean government.

19. The Crimean Peninsula