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But after calls from outgoing president Leonid Kuchma for talks between the two sides, Mr Yanukovych stepped aside.

Mr Yushchenko will now become president, it has been reported.

Beautiful outcome. Minimal/no violence, a peaceful transfer of power, and no stolen election.

I think us FReepers have to prepare for the possibility that the EU actually stood up for democracy and the resulting political pressure tipped the scales. Shocking as it sounds, maybe the EU can actually be a positive force in the world. Or maybe not; it's too early to tell.

[xm177e2]

I think us FReepers have to prepare for the possibility that the EU actually stood up for democracy and the resulting political pressure tipped the scales. Shocking as it sounds, maybe the EU can actually be a positive force in the world. Or maybe not; it's too early to tell.

Well, I was clearly wrong. Only Poland actually made a strong statement for democracy; the other EU states have failed to do so, as I expected. I really was shocked (in a pleasant way) to hear that they might have stood up for democracy; of course I was wrong.