The Ukrainian revolution of February 2014 (also known as the Euro-Maidan Revolution or Revolution of Dignity Ukrainian: Революція гідності) took place after a series of violent events towards protesters in the capital of Kiev that culminated with the flight and subsequent impeachment of the then-President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych. 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.
After a first revolution, known as the Orange Revolution in 2004, Ukraine had been mired by years of corruption, mismanagement, lack of economic growth, currency devaluation, and an inability to secure funding from public markets. Because of this, Yanukovych sought to establish closer relations with the European Union (EU) and Russia in order to attract the capital necessary to maintain Ukraine's standard of living without affecting the local population significantly. One of these measures was an association agreement with the European Union which would provide Ukraine with funds contingent to reforms in almost all aspects of Ukrainian society. Yanukovych, at first, accepted the contingencies as fair but ultimately refused to sign at the urging of Russia. 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. As tensions rose, Yanukovych fled the country to Russia and has not returned. Russia has accused the United States and the EU of funding and directing a coup. Testimony from prominent Ukrainian politicians and security officers shows that Yanukovych was 'not so much overthrown as cast adrift by his own' internal allies in his last days in power.