Five years ago this month, an orange sea of Ukrainians flooded the streets of Kiev. Protesting the attempt of then-President Leonid Kuchmas' administrative machine to falsify election results, they demanded the right to choose their country's leader. They demonstrated to the world their desire for freedom, justice, and democracy. They brought new leadership to power but it failed to deliver most of the promises given to the people on the frozen Maidan. Disillusioned and discouraged, Ukrainians are coming to the polls once again this January. And now, those longing for strong-armed rule may well outnumber those who want to preserve their imperfect democracy. It's time for the West to take note.
Ukraine isn't in banana republic territory, but a reversion to strongman rule in Kiev will end any hopes of bringing Ukraine into NATO.
Which is why the West under our current leadership will not take note of this development. The West is praying (in a nondenominational sort of way, of course) for an excuse to keep Ukraine out of NATO.
