Poll leaves Ukraine press divided

Like the campaign itself, Viktor Yushchenko's victory in Sunday's re-run of the presidential election has left Ukraine's press polarised.

Opposition sources are delighted, while pro-government opinion is aggrieved.

Comment is similarly divided in Russian papers - between criticism of Moscow's attitude and confidence that nothing will really change.

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The winner of the 2004 election has been decided. We believe that it is the Ukrainian people who surprised the whole world by their ability to defend their right to choose their own future.

Ukraine's Den - independent daily

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We have long been heading for this December day, which turned out unusually calm. We have been through Ukraine's 13 years of hopelessness and frustration to see that in the 14th year of independence we can become truly free if we want it very much and fight for this. We have done this to make our country completely new, to defeat the lies.

Ukraine's Ukrayina Moloda - opposition daily

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Unlike 31 October and 21 November, the repeat vote on 26 December was much calmer. There were no reports of mass irregularities or vote-rigging.

Ukraine's Vecherniye Vesti - opposition tabloid

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The country has gone to the polls for the third time this year. Unfortunately, this time was fatal for many. The polling station became the last Rubicon for 10 citizens - their hearts failed under the pressure. Campaign pressures and the outcome of the vote took their toll on the mood of millions. Many supporters of Viktor Yanukovych have reason to feel disappointed if not cheated.

Ukraine's Kiyevskiye Vedomosti - pro-government tabloid

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It looks so much like Russia but is no longer Russia. Ukraine has headed its own way. And it is even more or less clear where to. It has started off while we are at a standstill, practically alone... We committed just one mistake: we thought Ukrainians were like Russians - and here is the result. They have sent the Russkies to hell more or less calmly - you go on living in your Russia, plot your "successor" operations, build your vertical chain of command and steal from each other - but quit exporting that damned experience of yours to us.

Russia's Kommersant - independent broadsheet

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The "orange" republic has upset all of [President Vladimir] Putin's plans for a single economic space and turned its face towards the European Union. But with its economic indicators, Ukraine does not stand a chance of ascending to Europe. It is not in Yushchenko's interests to turn away from Russia, with its cheap gas and oil.

It may seem paradoxical, but today the future of the regime that has come to power in Ukraine depends directly on Russia. Every step to spite us will only bring the new president and his team closer to economic ruin - and to Ukrainians, out of habit, taking to the streets again.

Russia's Moskovsky Komsomolets - mass-circulation daily

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