Origins and Timing of the Orange Revolution

The Orange Revolution was a pivotal series of peaceful protests in Ukraine from late 2004 to early 2005, primarily triggered by widespread outrage over electoral fraud in the presidential runoff on November 21, 2004. Viktor Yushchenko, a pro-Western reformer, was declared the loser against the pro-Russian Viktor Yanukovych, despite credible evidence favoring Yushchenko. The movement adopted the color orange, symbolizing unity and a break from the past, and aimed for electoral transparency and democratic reform. The discontent stemmed from years of corruption and authoritarianism under President Leonid Kuchma, with notable incidents like the murder of journalist Georgiy Gongadze intensifying public frustration. Protests saw hundreds of thousands rally in Kyiv’s Independence Square, demanding accountability. Key judicial and international pressures led to a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated the original runoff, resulting in a re-vote on December 26, 2004, where Yushchenko emerged victorious. The revolution marked a shift toward European integration, embodying aspirations for democracy and the rule of law. This alignment was formalized with the 2014 Association Agreement with the EU, focusing on free trade, legal reforms, and democratic principles, reinforcing Ukraine’s European identity.