Ukraine's presidential rivals look to EU and Moscow

THE LEADING candidates in tomorrow’s Ukrainian presidential election have pledged to forge good relations with both the European Union and Russia, in a departure from the strongly anti-Moscow stance of incumbent Viktor Yushchenko.

Polls suggest he stands little chance of remaining in office, and will probably be replaced by long-time enemy Viktor Yanukovich, who is expected to win comfortably in the first round of voting and face current prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko in a February 7th run-off.

Mr Yanukovich was portrayed as a Kremlin stooge when his fraudulent election “victory” in 2004 triggered the so-called Orange Revolution, a series of huge street protests that propelled Mr Yushchenko and Ms Tymoshenko into power as president and premier.

Their subsequent in-fighting allowed Mr Yanukovich to mount a comeback, however, and he has made overtures towards the EU as Ms Tymoshenko has improved her ties with Russia, both broadening their appeal while increasing Mr Yushchenko’s isolation.

“I will do everything so that during the five years when I am president, Ukraine will become a member of the EU,” Ms Tymoshenko said ahead of the ballot.

But she also underlined the importance of “mutually beneficial relations” between Kiev and Moscow after repeatedly clashing with the Kremlin in recent years, particularly during the gas disputes that have damaged both countries’ claims to be reliable energy partners for the EU.

“I will aim for the most peaceful and constructive, but also firm and pragmatic, relations with Russia and other countries that are fundamentally tied to the national interests of Ukraine,” said Ms Tymoshenko. While opposing membership of Nato, Mr Yanukovich said on the campaign trail that he would “follow a pragmatic and balanced foreign policy. We will continue to develop the process of Euro-integration.”

With a power base in the strongly Russian east and south of Ukraine, Mr Yanukovich is closer to Moscow than Ms Tymoshenko, and he says he intends to forge “the kinds of relations that the people of Ukraine and Russia have dreamed of throughout our history.”

The election takes place during a brutal economic slump for Ukraine, and amid allegations the main contenders plan to fix the vote or launch street protests rather than accept defeat.

All rallies on Kiev’s Independence Square – the heart of the “Orange Revolution” demonstrations – are banned for three weeks.