Ukraine has taken its next step towards democracy.

Instances of succession and surrender of power in pursuance of the popular will are unusual for the former USSR. That is why Ukrainian elections are of that importance. What matters the most is not the figure that gets the power but the mode of its transfer. Democratic procedures, in this case, are all important. The main task for the state today is to preserve these democratic institutions and procedures to be able to change power regularly at all levels in future.

Yuliya Tymoshenko has not officially recognised the election results. Being aware what a shock she must have received, we hope that she will find the strength to accept defeat and continue her political career.

What are results of the vote?

-  For the first time in the history of independent Ukraine, the president failed to win at least half of the votes of those who came to the polls. This is both, a good and a bad sign. Bad because it is difficult to run a country which doesn’t support you. Good, because it is a safety valve against the usurpation of power by the presidential office. It means a strong opposition. It means the need for Yanukovych to consider the stand and the opinion of his opponents. It is an imperative for coming to terms.

-   High percentage of those who voted “against all.” The results of voting in Kyiv especially strike the eye – 8 percent of people used this form of protest. This protest is a clear sign of a need for changes, which hopefully will come during the forthcoming local and possible early parliamentary elections.

-   The elections reaffirmed the geographic split of the country.  Residents of the eastern and western regions voted mirror-like, with few exceptions. Many see it as a danger, many – as a safeguard against the usurpation of power by one political force across Ukraine. In any case this an indispensable feature of the modern Ukraine.

-   Presidential elections are only the beginning. Now, focus will be on the regional elections next May and probably on the early parliamentary elections that may be held in the fall. The struggle and, consequently, the process of the succession of power will go on. Exactly this infuses hopes for the future.

The main thing: Ukraine is to continue its difficult democratic transformation. Many reproach Ukraine for chaos, political fight, absence of reforms and so on. To say a word in its defence: Ukraine is learning by democracy almost by itself with much lesser support than the Central and Eastern European countries had, when they were preparing to become the EU members. Mistakes are inevitable. But the nation is moving on, with moans and groans.

Of course, EU support makes it easier. We hope that the Eastern Partnership will help, and sooner or later, the door to the prospects of membership will be opened. In the short run, the opening of borders with Ukraine would give an invaluable signal of support.

Democracy cannot be ultimately established in the country without reforms. The lack of reforms today presents the main hindrance on Ukraine’s road to progress and prosperity. Reforms in this country are a very hard task to do until all ownership issues are resolved, and there are still “tasty” morsels of property lying around to be “appropriated” by whoever is in power. Current priorities for reforms, therefore, include: compilation of land registers, cancellation of a ban on sale of farm land, establishment of order in the tax and regulatory sectors, and fighting against corruption above all. They should go simultaneously with reforms of the law-enforcement and judicial systems.

Sooner or later, the country must come to that. Step by step, Ukrainian people will pave the way into the future.

Ukraine is highly important for the post-Soviet space. If democracy survives in Ukraine, it will have a chance in the post-Soviet space. Beyond doubt, people in the capitals of those countries breathlessly watched the presidential race. Some with disdain, some with hope.

It is important that the number of those who pin hopes on that difficult struggle waged by Ukrainians goes up…