Answer
In 2005, Mykola Azarov began his tenure in the first Yanukovych government. He assumed the position in the aftermath of the 2004 Orange Revolution, which had seen the dissolution of the previous government. Azarov's appointment marked the beginning of a significant shift in Ukrainian politics, as he aligned himself closely with then-President Viktor Yanukovych and implemented policies that favored the country's pro-Russian faction.