Bush Intervenes in Ukraine Elections

While the elections are turning into a vote of confidence in the West led by US, US President George W. Bush warned Ukraine that he wanted a democratic election. Russian President Vladimir Putin had already intervened in elections by going Ukraine before the first round. In the second round of state ministry elections, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovic who is a supporter of Russia and the candidate for the current government is competing with reformist and supporter of the West former Prime Minister Viktor Yusenko. After the first round, it seems possible that Yusenko, with 39 percent, will win the election as he enjoys important support from other parties. Ukraine, with a population of 48 million, is accepted as one of the key countries in power struggle between US and Russia. By warning Kiev that it is too close to Russia, Bush said that Washington would review relations with Ukraine if the elections were not fair. In a letter forwarded to Ukraine State Minister Leonid Kucma with the help of US Embassy in Kiev, Bush thanked the Ukraine for sending troops to Iraq under US leadership, but warned the US would take measures if the elections were not fair.