:: Kyiv Zeka Ne Prijme! ::

An interesting afternoon for me. Whilst the furore raged on the streets of Kyiv (Kiev), I happened to be talking to a colleague based there. This may not be a contest for ruler of the free world, but the fallout from the Ukrainian Presidential election could be grave - pardon the nuclear pun. As I write, Victor Yanukovych has been declared the winner, but crowds still throng the capital's icy streets. Given international observers' suspicions of foul play, the situation could draw the Russian Federation (which has vociferously supported Yanukovych) and the EU and the USA (seen as favouring progressive opposition leader Viktor Viktor Yushchenko) into the fray. The term poison politics has aptly been applied to the bitterly entrenched positions of the candidates and their respective supporters.

Less than a month after the Bush travesty, this kind of back-biting may be difficult to stomach, but the accusations flying around Ukraine are wilder by far. My colleague for one is convinced that Yanukovych is an unreformed criminal, propped up by a corrupt regime. For her Yushchenko represents a tough stance on corruption and a political repositioning towards the west. Little wonder then that the US has been so keen to ensure a "fair election" enables Yushchenko to come to power. The best analysis I've read combines a scepticism for both candidates with a hearty disregard for some of the less savoury rumours that have been flying around.

By the way, the title translates as "Kyiv won't welcome a convict!"

Frivolity resumes on the morrow...