[MUSIC] Conflicts are not the sole attitudes of developing countries. Europe also can be plagued by political violence that could break out in some parts of a continent that were supposed to be at peace since the end of World War II. In the 90s of the past century and in the early years of the new one, conflicts erupted at that time in Europe. In the Caucasus region, namely in Chechnya and Georgia and also in Ukraine on the borders with Russia. In both regions, Russia has an important geopolitical position and a very great influence when it comes to politics and economy. These regions are considered by Moscow as outposts of the so-called, if you allow me Russian Empire. In this video, we are going to address the case of Ukraine. A conflict that triggered a major crisis between Russia, The European Union, and the United States. And since our MOOC is dedicated to the study and understanding of mediation, we are going to examine the reasons of the Ukrainian crisis. How mediation occurred and what assessments about the results so far obtained we can make. So, what are the roots of the crisis in Ukraine? At the source of the Ukraine crisis lies the rapprochement that Ukraine was slowly making towards the European Union. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, most of the Central and East European countries joined the European Union. And they joined also the military alliance led by the USA, NATO. Ukraine, however, had a total different story. Ukraine along with 11 states, joined in 1991, the Commonwealth of Independent States led by the Russian Federation. But as years went by, it appeared clearly that the Ukrainian population was divided about the future of their country. Some, mainly people from the western part of Ukraine envisioned their future within Europe. On the contrary, in the eastern regions close to the Russian frontiers, pro-Russia groups and parties were very much adamant that Ukraine should stick to Russia and tighten its links with Moscow. >> In 2004 after the Orange Revolutions, brought to power a pro-European president, Viktor Yushchenko. Intensive discussions and close links with the EU at that time were established. In 2005, within the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy, Brussels and Kiev began coordinating their policies. In May 2009, the European Union launched its famous oriental partnership. Ukraine was recipient of this program dedicated to the fostering of the ties with the European Union. But the situation changed in 2010 when the pro-Russian Viktor Yanukovych was elected president. The foreign policy of the country shifted, stressing that time, its links with Russia, and negotiations on trade agreements with their Russian neighbor went on swiftly. Kiev, we have to say it, relies heavily on its trade with Russia, especially in the field of energy. This dependence gives a decisive lever to Moscow in order to influence Ukrainian policy in many domains. But a turning point came when the Ukrainian government finally decided not to sign the association agreement with the European Union in November 2013 and then violence bursts out in the Midon place in Kiev. The situation went out of control until Russian demonstrations swept across the country. The government of Yanukovych was toppled. The Russian government considered at that time that all these events were directed against Russia. In March, the parliament of Crimea decided to proclaim its independence and the popular referendum voted for Crimea to be part of Russia. This decision was widely considered as an act of annexation and the aftermath of the events of Maidan, and Crimea. Intense fighting flared up in the western regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. Pro-Russian separatist troops decided to move against the Ukrainian Army. They demand autonomy and look forward at an integration of Eastern Ukraine into Russia.