Ukraine's Supreme Court annuls run-off results, calls for new poll

The Czech Republic has welcomed Ukraine's Supreme Court decision to annul the results of Ukraine's bitterly disputed presidential election. The original poll, thought to have been rigged, had been criticised by foreign politicians, including Czech Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda, and former Czech president Vaclav Havel. On Friday Ukraine's Supreme Court said the country would see a new run-off with the original two candidates, opposition figure Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, by December 26th. A statement on the Czech Foreign Ministry's website released in reaction to the decision congratulated the Ukrainian people while welcoming the fact that Ukraine had dealt with its crisis independently, relying on democratic and constitutional means.

Author: Jan Velinger