What WAS the election about in terms of policy? Honest question, -- I don't know.
Many Ukrainians have the same feelings, I’m afraid.
“What WAS the election about in terms of policy?”
The election was 50% about the economy and (like every national election in Ukraine) 50% about Russia. Ukraine’s eastern half has a large Russian-speaking population that will side with Russia in most things. That’s why Huntington’s Clash of Civilizations calls it a “cleft state” and a flashpoint of russian/western conflict. Last election, the pro-west faction won because their base was stirred up by the attempt on their candidates life. Since then, the Ukranian economy has been nearly destroyed by a combination of the global financial crisis and the government’s incompetence, and the pro-russian side seems to have gotten out to vote & perhaps won over some traditional pro-westerners.