During his 2010 presidential campaign, Yanukovic promoted a "multi-vector" foreign policy that sought to balance relations with both Russia and the European Union. He explicitly campaigned on maintaining economic and diplomatic ties with Russia. Also, do note that he was elected by the Russian-ethnic regions that subsequently rebelled after their duly-elected and EU-observer vetted President was overthrown in a coup.

Nuland didn't want to wait for formal elections or even a formal impeachment under the Ukrainian constitution. Because she had already planned the replacement govt and even the people for specific roles. She actively glued the political transition together quickly before Russian backstage maneuvering could undermine the anti-Yanukovych movement.

It was the crowning glory of her state department career. Only the US can get away with this sort of shameless regime change and Americans pat themselves on the back for being the "good guys".