First Belarus, then Ukraine. Elections in the two former Soviet republics that are the closest eastern neighbours of the European Union have produced uncomfortable results for those who believe in peaceful democratic revolutions.

In Belarus, the liberal opposition failed to make any inroad on the ruthless machine of Alexander Lukashenko, the country's irascible and autocratic ruler. His massive security machine - employing an estimated one in 10 of the population - ensured that the entire electoral process was heavily skewed in his favour. Even if it had not, most observers reckon that the maverick dictator would have won.