Viktor Yushchenko, Ukraine's president who last week sacked his government including Yulia Tymoshenko, his glamorous prime minister, has given himself a new chance to end his country's political turmoil.

It could be his last opportunity to deal with the uncertainty which has dogged Ukraine since he was swept to power in the Orange Revolution nine months ago. If he now fails to take charge of Ukraine's political stage, the revolution could run out of steam amid bitter recriminations. The next weeks will show whether Mr Yushchenko can salvage hopes of stabilising democracy, promoting development and opening Ukraine more to the west. A test will come next month when Vladimir Putin, Russian president, visits Kiev.