Elections in Ukraine

Ukraine, former member of the Soviet Union, now finds itself in an unresolved political election. On November 24, Ukraine declared Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, handpicked by current President Leonid Kuchma, as the winner. On that same day, US Secretary of State Colin Powell said that the US would not accept these results. "We cannot accept this result as legitimate because it does not meet international standards," Mr. Powell said, "and because there has not been an investigation of the numerous and credible reports of fraud and abuse."

"This is a critical moment," Mr. Powell said at the State Department. "If the Ukrainian government does not act immediately and responsibly, there will be consequences for our relationship, for Ukraine's hopes for Euro-Atlantic integration, and for individuals responsible for perpetrating fraud."

According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the outcome of the vote in Ukraine was "perfectly clear" - 49.46 percent for Prime Minister Viktor F. Yanukovich, and 46.61 percent for the opposition candidate, Viktor A. Yushchenko. President Kuchma initially validated these results although strongly recommended by the US and Europe not to do so. On November 27, the Ukrainian parliament declared the election invalid. No date has been set for a new election. It has been a long time since Ukraine has been a member of the Soviet Union, yet the legacy of Russian influence is still very present. While Moscow gives full support to Mr. Viktor Yanukovich, who is clearly more "Easternized" and pro-Russia, the US and Western Europe aligned with Mr.Yuschenko.

The future of Ukraine's presidency is now uncertain. It is still not known when the Ukrainian population will be able to vote again. In order to represent the interests of the majority, the new elections must be "clean" and absent of frauds and violation. Because it is to the advantage of Mr. Kuchma that Mr. Yanukovich wins, perhaps international agency should be considered. Although this is an unrealistic proposition, it would be for the best if Russia and the US did not intervene for the sake of their interests (after all, the Cold War is over!). The fact that the parliament decided to reject the results has definitely been a victory for the US, but while President Kuchma is still in power, Putin's interests will have a comparative advantage. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/28/weekinreview/28whit.html http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/24/international/europe/24russia.html