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The crisis in Ukraine can be traced back decades in history with the relationship of Russia and Ukraine, however this background will mainly focus on the months prior to rise of the revolution. During the past decade, it was clear that Ukraine was facing slow economic growth, political corruption and an inability to manage itself internally and was unable to reach out to other nations due to the its relationship with Russia. Due to these setbacks, President Yanukoych wanted to establish a stronger relationship with the European Union. By establishing this relationships, it would avoid Ukraine's economy to fail, political systems would stabilize, and the wellbeing of the Ukrainians would increase. An agreement was made with President Yanukoych and the EU, which entitled Ukraine to receive funding from the EU with the exception that Ukraine will produce reform on political, social and economic levels throughout the nation5. However, this agreement fell through on the basis that President Yanukoych wanted to remain close with the Russian government. Instead of accepting funding from the EU, President Yanukoych accepted a multi-billion dollar loan from Russia, and dismissed talks with the EU which caused the beginning of the revolution in Ukraine6. .
With the resignation of President Yanukoych, separatist leaders rose to the leadership of Ukraine. Oleksandr Turchynov became interim president after Yanukoych's resignation, but later stepped down after the election to be Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament7. Petro Poroshenko was then elected president in May8. With this new government, Ukraine was ready to defend itself against Russia who ordered Russian troops to cross the border of Ukraine and establish itself within Crimea in late February9. President Vladimir Putin defended this movement of troops as a way to protect Russian-speaking people who resided in Ukraine against the growing opposition to the former Ukrainian President and the rise of anti-Russian involvement in state affairs.