Ukraine after the Orange Revolution

The history of every nation contains moments that become decisive for its future. The peaceful Orange Revolution in Ukraine at the end of 2004 was just such a historic turning point for my country. Ukrainians stood up for their dignity and their freedom. It was a battle that they won. They made a clear choice in favor of democratic civilization and for freely elected leaders to guide changes in their lives and in their society. To be sure, the new leaders of Ukraine have inherited a difficult legacy. Nonetheless, they have the political will to reform the country in line with European democratic standards. (Borys Tarasyuk, Preface, fragment)