President Viktor Yanukovych has led Ukraine, no stranger to crisis, into yet another round of turmoil.

On becoming president of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych immediately took actions that undermined democracy and aligned Ukraine closely with Russia.

The recent deterioration in relations between Russia and Ukraine should be of great concern to the West.

This academic module features teaching notes by Steven Pifer, author of the Council Special Report Averting Crisis in Ukraine, along with additional resources to supplement the text. In this report, Ambassador Pifer examines current issues facing Ukraine, including its geostrategic relevance; the social, political, and economic relationship between Russia and Ukraine; the question of NATO membership; and the possibilities for integration into the West.

Ukraine's Orange Revolution is effectively over, with a pro-Russia prime minister back in power. Yet it is far from clear whether the revolution's undoing will erode pro-democracy gains elsewhere in the post-Soviet space.

Twenty years ago, an explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear plant, which spread radioactivity over Europe, seemed to be the death knell of the industry. But a renaissance of interest in nuclear power is underway, driven by higher energy prices, global warming, new technologies, and, some argue, short memories.

The color may be draining out of Ukraine's "Orange" revolution, with early returns from Sunday's parliamentary elections showing the pro-Russian political bloc ahead of two former pro-democracy allies.

Listen to experts discuss the film Orange Revolution and the significance of these events for Ukraine and nonviolent democracy movements elsewhere.

Listen to Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko discuss political, economic, and social changes in Ukraine.

Listen to Steven Pifer, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, discuss Ukrainian-Russian relations with students as part of CFR's Academic Conference Call series.

Listen to Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko discuss Kiev's relations with Russia, Europe, and the United States at a CFR meeting.

With oil supplies tight, regions most vulnerable to oil supply disruptions present a significant economic concern, particularly threats to the Strait of Hormuz and unrest in Nigeria, explains this Backgrounder.

Ukrainians go to the polls to show whether they endorse the pace of reforms since the 2004 Orange Revolution or seek to return to warmer ties with Russia. The party of former presidential candidate Viktor Yanukovich goes into the vote with the highest approval ratings of any political bloc.

This Center for Preventive Action Contingency Planning Memorandum examines how crisis scenarios between Ukraine and Russia could unfold, the implications for the United States, and the steps the U.S. government might take both to reduce the prospects of a crisis and manage it should it occur.

This report comprehensively analyzes Ukraine's difficulties, related to both domestic conditions and foreign policy, and recommends ways for the United States to encourage Ukraine on a path of stability and integration with the West.

The results of Ukraine's presidential election, which will go to a runoff on February 7, show unhappiness with Viktor Yushchenko's government, but are also a mark of Ukraine's independence.

The sentencing of former Ukraine prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko reflects her rivalry with President Viktor Yanukovych and could affect Ukraine's eurozone bid, says New York Times Moscow bureau chief Ellen Barry.

Despite fears to the contrary, the apparent presidential victory of Viktor Yanukovych in some ways bolsters the democratic gains of Ukraine's Orange Revolution, says Steven Pifer.