Try “political situation in Russia”, “Ukraine” or “Eastern Europe”.

Eastern Europe & Central Asia

In preparation

Eastern Europe is a region shaped by resilience, where imperial facades, communist blocks, and modern glass towers coexist, reflecting a past that still influences daily life. Society balances tradition with rapid change, navigating political skepticism, economic transition, and European integration. Living conditions vary between vibrant capitals and modest provincial towns, where hard work, education, and family networks remain central. Pragmatic, resourceful, and quietly ambitious, the region moves between memory and progress with persistent strength.

Countries
People: 291.4 m

Timeline

Historical Context of the Region

An overview of the key events since the Ukrainian declaration of independence in 1991.

Ukraine declares its independence

24 August 1991

The declaration was followed by a referendum on 1 December 1991, in which it was affirmed by an overwhelming majority in all regions of the country. Leonid Kravchuk was elected the first president of Ukraine on the same day.

Leonid Kuchma is elected President of Ukraine

10 July 1994

Kuchma defeated the incumbent Kravchuk in a second-round run-off, advocating for pro-market reforms and for strengthening economic ties with Russia through cooperation with the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Signing of the Budapest Memorandum

5 December 1994

As signatories, Russia, the USA and the UK committed to respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. The Soviet-commissioned nuclear arsenal stationed on Ukrainian soil was given up as a result of the treaty.

The Orange Revolution

November 2004 – January 2005

Mass protests against a rigged presidential run-off forced a re-run, which Viktor Yushchenko won. The episode established street mobilisation as a working corrective to electoral fraud in Ukrainian politics.

Euromaidan and the annexation of Crimea

November 2013 – March 2014

The suspension of the EU Association Agreement triggered months of protest that ended with the removal of Viktor Yanukovych. Russia responded by annexing Crimea and backing armed separatism in Donbas.

Full-scale Russian invasion

24 February 2022

Russia attacked Ukraine along multiple axes. The failure to take Kyiv turned the war into a prolonged conflict that reshaped European security, energy policy and the EU's enlargement agenda.

EU candidate status for Ukraine and Moldova

23 June 2022

The European Council granted candidate status to both countries, reopening an enlargement process that had been effectively frozen for a decade.

Subtopics

Maps & charts

Seen through maps and data

Selected visualisations from organisations that track this part of the world.

Territorial control in UkraineData analysis and visualization: Atlas editorial team, based on data published by the Institute for the Study of War.

Energy dependence on Russian gas, 2013 vs 2024Data analysis and visualization: Atlas editorial team, based on Eurostat and IEA data.

Learn more elsewhere

Documentaries, lectures, reports and databases picked by the Atlas team.

Videos & Documentaries

A brief history of modern UkraineBBC news documentary

Why is Russia invading Ukraine?The Economist

Lectures & Debates

Russia–Eurasia programmeChatham House

Common questions

Why did Russia invade Ukraine?

Russian officials framed the invasion as a response to NATO enlargement and to the treatment of Russian speakers. Most external analysts emphasise a different logic: Ukraine's move toward EU membership and its functioning, if imperfect, electoral politics presented a model that is difficult to reconcile with the Russian system of rule.

What do people around the world think about the war?

Global opinion is divided. Many Western countries strongly support Ukraine and have imposed sanctions on Russia. Some countries remain neutral or call for negotiations, while others have closer ties to Russia. Public opinion varies widely depending on political alliances, economic interests, media narratives, and historical relationships with the region.

Is Ukraine going to join the European Union?

Ukraine received candidate status in June 2022 and accession negotiations opened in 2024. Accession requires unanimity among member states and substantial reform on both sides, so the realistic horizon is measured in years rather than months.

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