2015 Event The U.S. will support the Ukraine in its fight against separatist militants by providing $75 million in non-lethal aid in the form of drones, ambulances and radios; Humvees will also be sent under a separate agreement 2014 Event Ukraine exchanges 222 rebel prisoners for 150 Ukrainian soldiers held by separatist forces; for security reasons, the nation also blockades Crimea, the region annexed by Russia, by stopping bus and train service to and from the area 2014 Event In light of recent separatist elections, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko seeks to nullify a law that gave greater autonomy to rebel regions; Ukraine does not recognize the election results and will hold national elections as planned in December 2014 Event Ukrainian troops and separatist forces have halted fighting in eastern Ukraine in accordance with a cease-fire agreement between Ukraine, Russia and the rebel forces 2014 Event The week-long cease-fire in the Ukraine has been endorsed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who urged separatist fighters to stop fighting and instead hold discussions with the Ukrainian government 2014 Event Businessman Petro Poroshenko wins the Ukraine's presidential election; election turnout was strong despite the nation's internal conflicts with separatist groups, who kept many voting locations closed in the eastern part of the country 1996 Death Dzhokhar Dudayev, separatist leader, dies at 52 1944 Birthday Dzhokhar Dudayev, separatist leader
