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The presidential election in Ukraine was free, mostly fair, and the Russians kept their hands off the whole proceedings. In those important respects, the orange revolution that shook the nation five years ago has left its mark. But unfortunately for those who like happy endings, the wrong person won. Viktor Yanukovych, whose rigged election in 2004 triggered the mass protests in Kiev, is heading back to power as the duly and fairly elected president. The villain of the piece five years ago is the orange revolution's chief beneficiary.

Yanukovych's victory has set off much ­wailing and gnashing of teeth. But just as the expectations western governments...