Who is Viktor Yanukovych & why is Russia eager to replace Zelenskyy with a fugitive Prez?

Amid war, Ukraine’s former fugitive president Viktor Yanukovych may replace incumbent President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as soon as Russia declares victory over its neighbouring country. According to multiple media reports, Russia has brought former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to Minsk-- a major step to bring him back to his earlier post. tably, major development came as Zelenskyy has vowed to keep fighting against Russia despite numerous offers from West to flee from country. 

Who is Viktor Yanukovych?

Viktor Yanukovych h entered politics in 1997 at of 46 and was chosen as goverr of Donetsk Oblast in eastern Ukraine. He served as a goverr from 1997 to 2002. In 2004, he contested for president for first time during most controversial elections. At that time, multiple media houses reported major election fraud, resulting in Orange revolution-- a series of protests and political events that took place in Ukraine from late vember 2004 to January 2005. Subsequently, Supreme Court nullified earlier elections results and ordered government to conduct fresh polls. In subsequent elections, he lost bly to Yushchenko. Despite this, he mand to hold post of Prime Minister of country from 2006 to 2007. Later, he was elected as president in 2010 with help of a former intelligence officer and n Russian Prime Minister Vlimir Putin.

Why did Viktor Yanukovych flee Ukraine?

According to media reports, Yanukovych h peacefully run Presidency for next three years. However, from 2013, miseries of Yanukovych h started after he refused to sign EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. unexpected response from Yanukovych came despite kwing a number of protests were being held in several regions of country demanding resignation of Yanukovych. Within a few days, protestors chose a violent route and clashed with Ukrainian police at Maidan in Kyiv. At that time, a social media campaign against him h also fuelled protest furr to or corners of country.

protest at central Kyiv became rallying point for anti-Yanukovych protests with Twitter hashtag "Euromaidan" furr fuelling protest. As condition deteriorated, he fled from country and reportedly took "shelter" at a five-star hotel under Moscow’s protection. Subsequently, screenwriter Oleksandr Turchyv came to power followed by Petro Poroshenko. However, Ukrainian people were again overthrown and h chosen Zelensky as ir president in 2019. Since n, he has been pushing Ukraine to become a NATO member, on or hand, Putin has been trying his best to destabilise his government and establish a pro-Russian puppet.

Im: AP