I don't think either side is "controlled" by Moscow. Rather their collective incompetence plays right into Moscow's hands. Yushenko and Timoshenko are not true democrats. Never were and never will be. They are that breed of Slavic "Democrat" that believes as long as they tell the West they are "reformist" or "democratic" the West will ignore their shady dealings, kleptocratic ways, and lip service to democratic ideals. The so-called democrats in Russia are the exact same. They play lip service to democracy but continue shady dealings with oligarchs ensuring they are personally enriched. The electorate can see through it and seek out the nationalist candidates. This trend will continue as long as charlatan democrats run in the region and as long as we don't do our research on who we are actually supporting. Unfortunately, the pseudo-democrats are very good at keeping the true reformers down and out. They're also extremely proficient at never agreeing amongst themselves. In Ukraine it's Timoshenko and Yushenko falling out frequently. In Russia it's Yavlinsky refusing to link up with Nemtsov's or Khamadova's forces - a disunited front will never be victorious.
If I remember correctly, Yushchenko used to be a member of the Communist elite (as a banker) before the Cold War ended. I think it's a good possibility that both he and Yanucklehead (Yanuk for sure) are both Moscow puppets. Time will tell, but I figured a long time ago that if a coalition government between these two forces ever emerged it would be proof that both sides are controlled opposition (with Moscow pulling the strings).
They are that breed of Slavic "Democrat" that believes as long as they tell the West they are "reformist" or "democratic" the West will ignore their shady dealings, kleptocratic ways, and lip service to democratic ideals. The so-called democrats in Russia are the exact same. They play lip service to democracy but continue shady dealings with oligarchs ensuring they are personally enriched. The electorate can see through it and seek out the nationalist candidates.==
I support each word. So bad that you are not Bush and Codi Rice adviser. Seriously.
American ambassador in Moscow should be you and it will play much better for benefits of America and Russia:).
"I don't think either side is "controlled" by Moscow"
Romie, it was only 1947 that the Russians staged another famine in Ukraine to eliminate 1.5 million more enemies of communism..
And why don't you entertain us on how Yushchenko poisoned himself and nearly killed his own son and nearly bombed his own offices?
Moscow bought this phoney anticrisis coalition and Tymoshenko will lead a successful opposition in the next election.