Spurious claims that the US and EU orchestrated Ukrainians' "undemocratic" revolt and plot to overthrow President Viktor Yanukovych in February are now moot. Even if true, the fanciful apologists for Vladimir Putin's Ukrainian adventures have received their answer in the weekend's parliamentary elections to the Verkhovna Rada in a substantial majority for those favouring closer links with the EU, a confirmation of the mandate in May in the election of President Petro Poroshenko.
Both his party and that of the more hawkish Arseniy Yatsenyuk, currently prime minister, and likely to be reappointed, have together taken over 40 per cent of the seats in the 450-seat parliament. With no voting in the "people's republics" of Donetsk and Luhansk, controlled by rebels, or in the annexed Crimea, as many as 27 seats – 12 in Crimea and 15 in eastern Ukraine – will remain unfilled, at least initially.
Significantly, the neo-Nazi far-right, demonised by Moscow for its alleged influence in Kiev, did very poorly – one of the main groups Right Sector received only 1.6 per cent. One pro-Russian party will be represented, the Opposition Bloc, on ten per cent of the vote.
The substantial majority for reform and pro-EU policies should make easier embarking on a programme to restore the state’s finances and crack down on corruption, but may provoke strong opposition in the streets to inevitable cuts in state jobs. And, most immediately, the prospect of a cut-off of Russian gas looms if Ukraine does not quickly come up with a debt payment of $1.5 billion.
The majority will also do little to give confidence to pro-Russian rebels that they have a significant place in the system – their own elections this weekend, not recognised by the government, will emphasise the divisions. Crucially Kiev must move fast to set out generous plans for broad political autonomy for the east of the country as an alternative to secession. The welcome recognition by Moscow of the results, is a small but important acknowledgement that there is an opening along these lines.