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A coup d’état, often abbreviated as “coup,” is the sudden, illegal overthrow of a government, typically orchestrated by a small group that replaces the existing leadership with a new authority. This action usually involves the use of force or the threat thereof and occurs outside the bounds of established legal procedures.
In 2014, Ukraine experienced significant political upheaval during the Euromaidan protests, leading to President Viktor Yanukovych’s departure from Kyiv on February 21, 2014. Following his departure, the Ukrainian parliament (Verkhovna Rada) convened and, on February 22, 2014, voted 328–0 to remove Yanukovych from office, citing his inability to fulfill his constitutional duties. The parliament also scheduled early presidential elections for May 25, 2014.
Yanukovych characterized these events as a “coup d’état,” asserting that he remained the legitimate president of Ukraine. Similarly, Russian President Vladimir Putin described the ousting as an unconstitutional coup, maintaining that Yanukovych was unlawfully impeached and that Russia continued to regard him as Ukraine’s legitimate president.
However, many in the international community and within Ukraine viewed Yanukovych’s removal as a consequence of his abandonment of office amid escalating protests and violence, rather than a traditional coup. The parliamentary vote to remove him was conducted without following the formal impeachment process outlined in the Ukrainian Constitution, leading to debates about the legality and legitimacy of the proceedings.
In summary, while Yanukovych and Russian authorities labeled his ousting as a coup, others perceived it as a reaction to his departure and the subsequent power vacuum, with the parliament acting under extraordinary circumstances to stabilize the country.
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