Topic: Yanukovych

A historical timeline of NATO-Russia relations begins with the 1990 verbal promise by James Baker III to Mikhail Gorbachev that NATO would not move "one inch to the east." The timeline tracks the inclusion of ten former communist states into NATO by 2007 and the 2014 Maidan coup in Ukraine. The role of U.S. officials like Victoria Nuland and John McCain in supporting the overthrow of President Yanukovych is highlighted as a primary driver of current tensions.

Journalist Aaron Maté outlines the history of the 2014 Ukrainian coup, detailing how President Viktor Yanukovych's rejection of a Western trade deal led to U.S.-backed protests. The analysis highlights the roles of Victoria Nuland, John McCain, and the National Endowment for Democracy in facilitating regime change. The subsequent seizure of Crimea by Russia and the integration of the Azov Battalion into Ukrainian forces are presented as direct consequences of these interventions.

Ukrainian members of parliament have called for an investigation into the alleged legalization of $7.4 billion by the Yanukovych family through Franklin Templeton Investments, a firm linked to Hunter Biden. The report, initially carried by Interfax, suggests a round-robin money laundering scheme benefiting DNC donors. Additionally, the role of former Ukrainian Finance Minister Natalie Jaresko is scrutinized regarding her management of investment funds before her move to a financial oversight board in Puerto Rico.

Paul Manafort has been indicted for money laundering and tax fraud related to his work for pro-Russian President Yanukovych in Ukraine. The charges predate his involvement with the Trump campaign, but Special Counsel Robert Mueller is seen as interpreting his brief widely to find any possible crimes. Manafort's lawyer argues the activities were intended to bring Ukraine closer to the EU and the US.

CBS News reported on a "secret ledger" in Ukraine allegedly showing $12.7 million in undisclosed cash payments to Paul Manafort from the party of former President Viktor Yanukovych. However, the report admitted that Manafort's signature does not appear in the ledger. Analysts suggest the story is a "hit piece" designed to link the Trump campaign to Russian interests without concrete evidence of wrongdoing.

Professor Stephen Cohen provided a historical analysis of the Ukrainian crisis, tracing its origins to the 1990s and the 2013 Maidan protests. Cohen argues that the conflict is a civil war rooted in long-standing ethnic and religious divisions rather than solely the result of "Putin's aggression." He notes that the overthrow of the elected president, Viktor Yanukovych, was the catalyst for the current proxy war between the U.S. and Russia.

Thousands of people gathered in Moscow to condemn the uprising that ousted Viktor Yanukovych in Ukraine one year ago. Protesters expressed support for Vladimir Putin, claiming he prevented a similar "Maidan" event from occurring in Russia. Reports mention that some attendees may have been paid to participate in the state-promoted rally.

A listener conducted an informal survey of Ukrainian webcam girls to gauge public sentiment in the East and West of the country. The findings suggest that even Russian-speaking Ukrainians are not necessarily pro-Russia and are wary of both the ousted President Yanukovych and the violence in Kiev. The survey highlights a shared desire for peace and a rejection of the "fascism" and "radicalism" narratives being pushed by various factions.

The Russian ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, argued that the deployment of troops in Crimea was a "peace mission" requested by the regional leadership to protect Russian citizens following the "illegal" removal of President Yanukovych. The legal distinction made was that force was being used "on the territory of Ukraine" rather than "against Ukraine." The hosts mock the difficulty of diplomatic translations in these high-stakes debates.

The White House Press Secretary issued a statement supporting an inclusive multi-party government in Ukraine ahead of May elections. The primary objective of the international community is identified as establishing an economic assistance package through the IMF. This financial restructuring aims to settle debts with Russia while potentially moving Ukraine toward Western economic alignment.

Secretary of State John Kerry criticized the "kleptocracy" and lavish lifestyle of ousted Ukrainian President Yanukovych, specifically citing his yachts and dining rooms. Critics point out the irony of Kerry's statements given his own personal wealth and ownership of yachts. Kerry maintains that the US is not putting pressure on Ukraine but is supporting a transition to a pluralistic government.

The discussion shifts to the violent protests in Kiev, Ukraine, which the hosts refer to as "Kiev burns." They play a CBS News report featuring Holly Williams and Major Garrett detailing the standoff between protesters and President Viktor Yanukovych. The report highlights the geopolitical tug-of-law between Russia and the European Union, while the hosts critique the mainstream media's framing of the conflict.

Leaked audio of State Department official Victoria Nuland reveals her using hipster-style slang, specifically the term "deets" for details, while discussing the political transition in Ukraine. The conversation highlights her use of nicknames like "Yatz" for Arseniy Yatsenyuk and various metaphors regarding "midwifing" the new government. Criticism is directed at the informal language used by high-ranking American diplomats during sensitive international negotiations involving Russia and the EU.

The conflict in Ukraine is identified as a dispute over the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) agreement, not full EU membership. President Viktor Yanukovych suspended the agreement after Russian pressure, leading to the Euromaidan protests. The hosts suggest the unrest is "theater" used by both the U.S. State Department and Russia to gain leverage at the negotiating table in Brussels.

Protests in Kiev show a deep divide between pro-EU and pro-government factions. Euronews footage features citizens expressing fears that EU integration will lead to the loss of ties with Russia and the influx of "Polish bacon" and "homosexual couples." The hosts analyze the footage as potential propaganda from both sides.

Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych rejects a trade deal with the European Union in favor of closer ties with Russia. The hosts analyze the geopolitical implications, focusing on the critical natural gas pipelines that run through Ukraine and Russia's use of energy prices as leverage.

The Ukrainian presidential election results, showing a victory for Viktor Yanukovych over Yulia Timoshenko, are discussed. Timoshenko is characterized as a pro-Western figure aligned with NATO and the European Union. The hosts suggest that the CIA often uses "hit squads" and street protests to destabilize leaders who do not align with Western interests, referencing the book *Legacy of Ashes*.