A lot has happened in Ukraine since the beginning of the Maidan protests a year ago: the old regime was ousted and replaced after early elections in May; the country signed the Association Agreement with the EU; a part of its territory was annexed by Russia; and in its eastern regions, separatists have declared their independence from the government in Kiev. The forthcoming parliamentary elections, one of the major promises of Maidan, will be extremely challenging, and a lot will depend on their outcome. According to the polls, the new parliament will have a pro-Western and pro-reform majority, but will that translate into concrete actions? Will the new parliament have the willpower and commitment to push through the necessary, but often painful reforms needed to transform Ukraine into a strong, democratic, independent country? And how will the elections influence Russia’s game plan?