There is an old saying: “Where there are two Ukrainians, there will be three hetmans.” Hetmans were the leaders of Ukraine’s traditional Cossack hosts and the proverb reflects the divisive politics of Ukraine’s past.

Modern-day Ukraine’s politics are no less fractious or confusing to the outside world. In the past 29 months, Kiev has seen five different governments, including two under pro-Russian prime minister Viktor Yanukovich and two under pro-western prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who is now in office. Such volatility is hardly surprising. At the height of the 2004 Orange Revolution, Ukraine seemed to have three presidents: lame-duck authoritarian Leonid Kuchma; his anointed successor Viktor Yanukovich, who claimed victory amid evidence of vote fraud; and Viktor Yushchenko, the reformer who swore himself in as president and eventually won a re-run election. At times, political tensions have been accompanied by signs of rampant corruption.