Many western nations have criticized the initial election that was conducted in Ukraine. I must admit that Yushchenko has been brave to stand up in a less free society compared to Europe and the rest of the world. (Not to mention Ukraine's "big brother" Russia) I am happy that Yushchenko will be President of Ukraine. But there is an unanswered question here. How much foreign influence changed the situation in Ukraine.

We can start criticizing (or thanking, depending on your perspective of this situation) Russia for overshadowing Ukraine's politics for many many years. Russia should stop "taking care" of its neighboring nations, and start to fix their own internal problems. Because of their continuous involvement in the Ukraine's government, people like Yushchenko got sick of how his country was ruled by foreign nation. It is interesting to point out that people like Yushchenko rised to politics, because Russia's continued involvement in Ukraine. Bottom line, Russia created the situation that began and ended this whole election chaos.

Oh yes. Russia and the "conservative" Ukraine party members saw Yushchenko as a big threat as he ran for President. They did every dirty trick to get him off the seat. From rigging the election rules to poisoning him, they did their best to weaken or kill the opposition leader. Sorry guys! The rest of the world is not too stupid to know that there is a problem in the election. And thanks to various technologies, the poison couldn't kill Yushchenko that easily, not to mention the news story of the election spreading around the world.

Many European nation, as well as United States, voiced their criticisms of the election. That pressure was enough for the Ukraine's Supreme Court to void the election and start a new clean one. The "Western" influence had a major impact of changing the whole situation in favor of the opposition party.

So the results of various foreign influence? Well, I think Yushchenko is going to win his President seat. (according to the exit poll results)

Good luck Ukraine!