Good luck Ukraine! - The steets are not the answer, no matter what. Stop fighting and start playing as a team: for that to happen, someone will need to be given captaincy. There is no other way. Let that captain secure prosperity for the Ukrainian PEOPLE, forget all divisive policies, put them completely on the back burner, no Russia, no US, no EU, just Ukraine. If you cannot do this, or want to do it, and a captain is not capable of steering a prosperous and neutral route, Then agree peacefully, that you can't agree, can't live as one Ukraine and go your separate ways. The truth is that Ukraine is heavily divided on totally contrary ideas. So either the partners can live together or they need divorce. That is the only way to avoid domestic violence. You either have nation building as one or two, Whichever way, Ukraine will need to decide . but do it peacefully!

The best wishes to all Ukraine! I hope very much that the people will understand that rethoric is not the answer. There was too much of it since Orange Revolution. Like most revolutions, this one brought more grief then good. But whatever is decided, it will be really good if politicians stop their endless rows, and get down to business. It will be up to the new President to chart the course, and work towards concrete solutions. Ukraine has so much potential, that it hurts to see it so disfunctional, so helpless. And indeed, I support Count Cash fully in suggesting that Ukrainian people may have to come together as respected partners, accepting their differences, but working on common good. And if this is not possible, it may be very healthy and honest to face the divorce, for everyone's good. Civilized divorce is always better for kids then a marriage that is unhappy and violent. Each side would therefore give utmost respect to the other. They will stop insisting that ONLY one of them is the CORRECT Ukrainian, while the others are not. This is a denial that is costly. Like spouses, that insist on REFORMING the other parter. As we all know from personal experiences or had seen these in our families, this never works out. When differences exist, and when they are irreconcileable, then the greatest form of respect is to let go of the need to control and force other into submission.

As I have written in a previous comment about the election in Ukraine, Good Luck Ukraine lets have a peaceful and harmonious vote, a vote that only Ukraine can be proud of. Lets start the new Ukrainian Decade with peace and prosperity for all. Remember only one day away only YOU can decide.

Ever since Ukraine has become independent and democratic it has been a third world country. It should follow the lead of Russia and Belarus, they're doing much better than Ukraine because there is order and stability, whereas democracy has brought failure to Ukraine.

For once I agree with Bianca and Count Cash, largely.

Ukraine's problem is the two corrupt incompetent individuals the people have to chose between. Yulia Timoshenko was inept exhibitionist when she was in the Ukrainian parliament, and prone to lying and hysterics. Viktor Yanukovich is also corrupt and incompetent. Ukraine needs its own version of Vladimir Putin who can bring order to the nation, and keep out American, NATO and EU meddling in Ukrainian internal affaires. Regardless of whether Yulia or Viktor wins, the carpetbaggers from the West will come peddling their bribes and "goodies" to the winner. The current election actually leaves the Ukrainian people no choice but to vote for Viktor Yanukovich, because Yulia silliness will be used by the West to undermine Ukrainian interests - nor, she will not be able to withstand the West's campaign against her country. Yulia's ego is greater than her desire to work for the interest of her country. All Obama has to do is invite Yulia to the White House, and silly Yulia will be gushing all over him. Afterwards, she may even be foolish enough to allow Obama to place missiles on Ukrainian soil.

Nikita, "...democracy has brought failure to Ukraine..." WRONG! The Ukrainians themselves brought failure to their nation. Only a foolish people would get all excited about university students waving orange balloons and ribbons, and then rush out to vote for an incompetent and corrupt Victor Yuschenko.

I have some wet marshland in Estonia for sale. Perhaps if I hang orange balloons and ribbons on the bushes, some Ukrainian will rush to buy the plot from me.

Whoever wins has got to be an improvement over the current president. I wish Ukraine good luck with its new president. And although the tough times are not over, it may be a slight consolation to realize that everybody is in a mess with this financial crisis.

Good article and good comments everyone! Let's hope for pragmatic and peaceful elections.

Congratulations to Ukraine. Now Ukrainians will have a more balanced nation,with Russian language respected and better relationship to their main trade and strategic partner, the Russian Federation.

BBC has announced that Viktor Yanukovych has won the election in the Ukraine. I expect Yulia Timoshenko to go screaming out into the streets shouting "frauf", "fraud", "fraud", and demanding that the courts nullify the election. I am curious to see whether Viktor will invite Abhazia and S. Ossetia to send representatives to his inauguration. Poor Mikheil Saakashvili had such high hopes that his Yulia would win and send more Ukrainian weapons and mercenaries to Grusia. Now, even this dream, like all Saakashvili's other dreams have evaporated.

"Ukraine will need to decide but do it peacefully!" Can somebody explain please? Why suddenly divorce? If Orange "Revolution" imposed by the West that have squeezed out rightful victory of their candidate was acceptable for Russo-phone part of Ukraine in previous elections WHY is now when they finally get that victory of their candidate "not acceptable" for other Ukrainians?!? Or is it that West must prevail always??!! Doesn't matter what MAJORITY of people want!! That is at what we in Serbia have now. Majority does NOT want NATO and wants that Serbia stays NEUTRAL and with traditionally good relations with Russia! We do NOT WANT to renounce Kosovo! Our puppet government under the PRESSURE from USA will (despite 75%Serbs who are AGAINST NATO) ask now to become member of that criminal organization! By doing that they will AUTOMATICALLY give recognition to Kosovo and approve NATO CRIME in bombing of Serbia as something positive! As result that will not be acceptable for majority of the Serbs but seen as pure TREACHERY and will start CIVIL WAR in Serbia ! West will support Serb pro-USA puppet Government and handful of traitors and Muslim minority against the MAJORITY of the population(as usual)! Only be cause WEST (USA & NATO) REFUSE to give legitimate right to the people to DECIDE about their future ! They will use ALL MEANS to IMPOSE POWER OVER SERB POPULATION ! That will arrange Germany to finish the job they started by destruction of Yugoslavia! To completely destroy Serbia once civil war stats They will intervene and cut away Vojvodina and turn what is left in (EU)German protectorate to become TOTAL master of Balkans! Serbia and Ukraine might be on the brink of the CIVIL WARS be cause of USA and NATO that NEVER RESPECT will of the nations outside the West and always try to impose their CONTROL! IS THIS SCENARIO FOR UKRAINE ?

Let's hope this time around it will be the ballot box that decides the result of the election, and not civil unrest or american money. It was clear all through this campaign that Tymoschenko didn't want to be elected by ballot box, but rather civil unrest, just like last time...... come on Yanukovych!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (For once I'm gonna express my personla opinion!!he clearly intends to steer Ukraine's foreign policy in a more realistic and pragmatic direction, and is by far Ukraine's best bet of economic recovery, which will in turn bring about poloitical stability!! you've just gotta respect how the man has re-invented his image, and really led a superb campaign, and has refused to give in!!!!

The defeat of Tymoshenko and her orange nationalist/fascist gang must be accomplished in this election. If the Ukrainian people do not sweep her away along with her former ally Yushchenko the Ukraine is finished. It will become a neo-fascist lackey state of the West and will be sucked into NATO. The orange fascist government has driven the Ukrainian economy into the ground, impoverished the vast majority of the Ukrainian people, and has attempted to rewrite history and complete the heroization of Bandera and other fascist-nationalists. The first step is to crush Tymoshenko and the Ukrainian fascists. This will buy some breathing room and time to decide what to do next. - Mikhail

kihnu, Yanukovich is hardly incompetent. He has an established track record as a competent govenor and economic manager, certainly when compared to either Yushchenko or Tymoshenko. I think he will make a good president (it'll be nice to see him slam the door in the face of NATO!) and may just get Ukraine back its feet after 5 years of poor governance from the Orange faction.

I think that it doesnt really matter who will win - Ukraine will not return to Russia as it was during the Kuczma Years. Poland does not need another russian satellite like Belarus around its border. Both choices will be beneficial to Poland - continuation of military cooperation from Yulia, and safety of gas and oil transit with Viktor. President is not that important figure on Ukraine - parliment is much more important and there both parties rule already. I dont think any rapid changes from Ukrainian side will happen.

No idea about the others but clear is that Turchynov is a gangster.

@ from poland: Keep dreaming... Nothing in Ukraine will happen as you and other Polish nationalists are imagining. I have a few very nice Polish friends and they are very different from you, but it's amazing how vicious and unreasonable some Polish nationalists can get. Of course, it's jealousy and a sense of their own inadequacy talking. The best and only pragmatic thing for Ukraine to do is to change its political image to that of cooperation with Russia, remembering that it is it's closest brother nation. Russians have been patiently waiting for Ukrainians to actually recall this fact. Also, it would be good to remember that no promises have ever been kept by the West in general and the US in particular. Just need to recall lessons of history. I think the process of recallection has finally started....