As part of the Visual Timeline series
1990:
(Jul) West German chancellor meets Soviet president Gorbachev, offering him financial aid to tolerate German reunification under NATO
(Oct) Germany reunified
1991:
– (Aug) Failed military coup in Russia accelerates Gorbachev resignation
– (Dec 25th) Gorbachev resigns and announces dissolution of Soviet Union into 15 states.
– (Dec 26th) Soviet Union dissolved; Russian federation established
– Putin leaves KGB, becomes deputy mayor of St Petersburg, gains oligarch and mafia support
1992: Mujahideen forces removes Soviet-backed government in Afghanistan; and establish Islamic State government; but instability ensues.
1994: Muslin separatist violence in Chechnya, Russia
1998:
– (Aug) Russian Financial Crisis (Russia defaults on its bonds)
– (Sep) New Russian PM Primakov stabilizes collapsing ruble, and carries out major tax reform; but dismissed by president Yeltsin in May99.
Good Friday Agreement for Northern Ireland
1999:
– (Aug) Yeltsin appoints ex-KGB Putin to become Russia PM to suppress Chechnyan uprising.
Eastern European nations join NATO.
– (Aug) Chechen rebel bombings in Russia; Putin vows revenge and gains popularity; Chechnya wars bring it back under Russia’s control
-(Dec) Yeltsin resigns making Putin interim president; Putin wins election in Mar00
2000: Putin elected Russian president.
2003:
– (Mar) Last nationwide independent TV channel in Russia is axed.
– (Sep) Kyrgyzstan grants Russia its first military base abroad to counter terrorism.
– (Oct) Russian oil oligarch Khordorkovsky arrested as Putin further consolidates power.
2004: 10 former Soviet satellites join EU
2005: Russia and Iran sign deal; Russia will supply fuel for nuclear reactor.
2008:
– (Mar) Putin-loyal Medvedev wins presidential election as Putin cannot serve third consecutive term; Putin appointed as PM.
– (Aug) Russia invades Georgia, supporting separatists
2009: (Feb) $25b Russia-China deal; Russia supplies oil for next 20 years; China supplies loans.
2012: Putin re-elected president for third term
2014:
– (Feb-May) Russia annexes Crimea from Ukraine amidst protests; sanctions imposed on Russia by West; biggest Russia-West conflict since Cold War.
– Russia increases weapons deals with India (40% Russia’s military exports go to India in 2020)
2016: Russia backs Assad in Syrian Civil War
2022:
– (Apr) Russia invades Ukraine
See also: