Souvanna Phouma vs Viktor Yanukovych

Souvanna Phouma became Prime Minister of Laos for the first time, leading a neutralist government. He sought to maintain Laos's neutrality in the Cold War, balancing between communist Pathet Lao and right-wing factions.

Souvanna Phouma signed the Geneva Accords, which established Laos as a neutral state and created a coalition government. The agreement was intended to end the Laotian Civil War but ultimately failed to prevent further conflict.

Souvanna Phouma helped form a new coalition government with the Pathet Lao after the Vientiane Agreement. This government aimed to end the civil war but was short-lived as the Pathet Lao seized full power in 1975.

Souvanna Phouma resigned as Prime Minister after the Pathet Lao took control of Laos, ending the monarchy. He remained in Laos as an advisor to the new communist government until his death.

Yanukovych won the presidential election, defeating Yulia Tymoshenko in a runoff. His victory was seen as a shift toward closer ties with Russia and a reversal of Orange Revolution policies.

Yanukovych abruptly suspended preparations for signing an association agreement with the European Union, opting instead for closer ties with Russia. This decision triggered the Euromaidan protests.

After months of protests and violent clashes, Yanukovych fled Kyiv for Russia. The Ukrainian parliament voted to remove him from office. His ousting led to the Russian annexation of Crimea and the war in Donbas.

Yanukovych settled in Russia, where he claimed to still be the legitimate president of Ukraine. He was tried in absentia and convicted of treason by a Ukrainian court. He remains a fugitive.