From Ukrainians' point of view, the priority is not to throw the revolution away as they did after the Orange Revolution 10 years ago. From everybody else's point of view, the priority now is to avoid an irreparable breach between Russia and the West. One Cold War was enough.

The Yanukovych era is finished; the former president will not make another come-back. He has killed too many people, and the vulgar ostentation of his former palace (whose architect understandably chose to remain anonymous) has shocked Ukrainians even though they already knew he was deeply corrupt. Besides, Russia will not bet on this horse again.

On the other hand, the various opposition leaders will have great difficulty deciding who'll lead their coalition, if indeed they can even agree on a coalition before the promised election May 25. They'll still win the election, because Viktor Yanukovych never let any plausible rivals emerge in his pro-Russian Party of the Regions, and Russia will not be able to find and groom a suitable replacement in time.