Ukraine
Since the former president Viktor Yanukovych was ousted from power in February 2014 , the legitimate Ukrainian government has restored its pro-western status with Petro Poroshenko elected as the new President in May 2014, who was backed by the USA and described by US President Barack Obama as a "wise selection". Poroshenko's appointment then led to the eventual signing of the Association Agreement with the EU on 27 June. However, by that time, large regions of eastern Ukraine has already fallen into the hands of the rebels and the armed conflict was already happening between the pro-Russian militias and the Ukrainian army. October 2014 was a significant moment when pro-Western parties won a sweeping victory in the parliamentary elections and laid foundation for a pro-Western/pro-European and pro-reform coalition government. In addition to the Russian illicit intervention and annexation of Crimea, the Ukrainian government thereby gained much support from the Western powers. Two camps were formed - hostility between Russia and the West once again intensified and Russia's international position was further isolated. On the other hand, the Ukrainian army is defending their national integrity and the government legitimacy in fighting against the pro-Russian rebels and the "disguised" Russian troops in Ukraine.
Apart from the Ukrainian government and military, there are several pro-government groups that support the Ukrainian government and resist the separatists in the armed conflicts.
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The USA
The USA has been playing an active role in international affairs since the last century and there is no exception in the Ukraine Crisis. The US government has been funding for the democratic transition in Ukraine since its outbreak and also consulting with international organizations, notably the United Nations, and other countries to impose a sanction on Russia to weaken its economy in hope that Kremlin would step down and withdraw from the crisis. However, they place each step very carefully, trying their best to not militarily intervene in the conflict and positioning themselves as a mediator, otherwise it might bring catastrophic opposite impacts, such as a full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
Pro-Western supporters in Ukraine - Euromaiden
Euromaidan began on the night of 21 November 2013 with public protests in Maidan Nezalezhnosti ("Independence Square"), demanding closer European integration. The protest started peacefully, yet after the government's crackdown on protesters on 30 November, protesters felt justified in using violence and the movement escalated .