Yushchenko 'poisoned': Your reaction

Doctors in Vienna have said that Ukrainian opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko was poisoned.

The doctors said tests showed Mr Yushchenko's recent mysterious illness, which left his face disfigured, came from dioxin poisoning.

Mr Yushchenko became ill in September while campaigning for the Ukrainian presidency. His supporters protested against election fraud and the second round is to be re-run on 26 December.

What are your views on this latest development? Send us your comments using the form on the right hand side.

This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.

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Your comments:

From BBCRussian.com: We do not need to know what the toxin was. But it is of importance to find out why he was poisoned.
Drache, UK

From BBCRussian.com: Who are these people who concocted this story about poisoning? And does Ukraine really need a president who is ill?
Mikha, Moscow, Russia

From BBCRussian.com: The Western press is unanimous in its opinion: Yushchenko was poisoned. No alternatives are being considered. It all reminds me of the Western media's attitude towards Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.
V P Vidanov

It has long been obvious that Yushchenko has been poisoned Andriy Rybalchenko, Keller, USA

I am Ukrainian and living in the USA, and it doesn't come as a shock that he was poisoned. The government had long planned his death even as far as two years back. This is an example of how Kuchma needed to get rid of him, or else he's done. It has long been obvious that Yushchenko has been poisoned, and Yushchenko knows perfectly who did it.
Andriy Rybalchenko, Keller, USA

Although I think the poisoning by Yushchenko is terrible. I do not feel it in anyway determines that he is a better candidate than Yanuchovich, despite claims that Yanuchovich is responsible, without evidence it is not clear. It may have been supporters of the West which poisoned Yushchenko in an attempt to discredit the opposition. Either way, it neither credits nor discredits Yushchenko.
Michael, Notts, UK

We can only hope that this information is available to all in Ukraine, especially those living in the east who have routinely had censorship of the media throughout these elections. Hopefully the people of Donestk and Lugansk are finally given the opportunity to fair elections on Boxing Day away from undue pressures.
Ewhen, Liversedge, UK

Victor Yuschenko's poisoning is only one incident in a long line of brutal political repression in Ukraine by Kuchma and his cronies. Ask any fair minded Ukrainian about what has gone on in their country and you'll find out there are many more mysterious deaths (mostly automobile accidents), beatings and intimidation that have gone on for years. Think of the ones that have happen to the lesser-known people that never made the international press!
Mike, New York City, USA

I can't believe how many people are saying things like "in these enlightened times" and "in this day and age", like it's some sort of shock that people are capable of poisoning Mr. Yushchenko. Nothing has changed since the dawn of civilization that would make this sort of thing uncommon, except forensics and the likelihood of being caught. I hope that whoever perpetrated this crime will be exposed and brought to justice.
Dane Musto, Bryan, TX

I have a bad feeling that it was a slow deliberate poisoning Gabriel Asseily, London, UK

It is indeed shocking to see that people would resort to poisoning as a tactic for winning an election. However I feel some people are missing the point and something is not being pointed out. For chloracne to appear you need to wait several months. This was done far before the elections and I have a bad feeling that it was a slow deliberate poisoning. A sudden huge dose would have to have been calculated incredibly well not to be an overdose. How long has it been since the food/drink has been spiked is more the question we should be asking.
Gabriel Asseily, London, UK

Electoral emotionalism aside - not a strange phenomenon in the West either - is it possible both sides are corrupt? A couple hours of googling suggests that special interests will be the main beneficiaries no matter who wins. This poisoning case is disturbing and has a very bad smell, but it's hardly the main story. I would like to suggest that the media try to refocus on prospects for the rule of law in Ukraine; if it ever has focused, that is.
Stan, Vancouver, Canada

I wonder why these tests were not done in September. Why the doctors did not properly diagnose Mr Yushchenko back then? And finally, how did Mr Yushchenko and his wife know he was poisoned before the tests?
Victor Kornev, Moscow, Russia

I am not surprised at all. I am Russian who was born and brought up in Ukraine. It is not a confrontation between Russian people and Ukrainians - it is a confrontation between a totalitarian regime and a democracy. I am happy and proud that people of my country stood by their principles and I am deeply concerned about the future of Russia under Putin.
Julia, London

The poison Dioxin that Yushchenko acquired is basically a toxic by-product of waste incineration and herbicide manufactures. If some is going to poison him, especially Russia, they certainly would have used a better vehicle than an environmental contaminant found in a variety of foods.
Lawrence Virginia, Glen Allen, VA

Why was the West paying so little attention? Deirdre, Potosi, Wisconsin USA

Mr. Yuschchenko's symptoms were dramatic and should have been a red flag to other nations that politics in the Ukraine had become potentially deadly. Why was the West paying so little attention? Why wasn't more help offered to Mr. Yushchenko? (That the US was in the midst of its own election is no excuse.) Thank God that he was not killed but is able to continue on to serve his country.
Deirdre, Potosi, Wisconsin USA

The interesting question is why dioxin was chosen as the poison. The effects arise typically in the long term and any high dose effects are unknown. If someone planned this disgusting attack, why does it make sense to use a not-so-well known poison?
SK, Princeton, USA

It does not mean necessarily that his political oppositions have poisoned him. He can not blame a particular person, a group, or a party for his illness. One can get poison in his or her body in many different ways.
Ardeshir Ommani, Armonk, NY, USA

This all looks pretty fishy to me. OK, the Austrian doctors have said they think he was poisoned by dioxins and that the dioxins were "probably" ingested by mouth, but no-one has explained why, in an election that is supposedly vicious enough to see people poisoned, the guy just didn't die in a car 'accident'.
Stevie, Stoke, UK

Unfortunately "dirty politics" is on the rise all over the world. I only hope that here in the US those who employ lies and character assassination in their political campaigns, and those they inspire and influence, don't get the idea of moving to more deadly tactics. Democracy is supposed to be about taking the facts and making an informed decision, not about hatred and personal destruction.
Al, Indiana USA

It is just another example of how rotten humanity is Elisa, Venice, Italy

Once more, I could not believe what my eyes were seeing while watching the TV news. This time, a European politician has been poisoned. Yushchenko is his people's hope for a free and prosperous future. But, instead of leading his country, he is trying to recover from poisoning. It is just another example of how rotten humanity is. The world is full of anger, sorrow, cruelty, and a lack of real democracy.
Elisa, Venice, Italy

The world should not be surprised at this attempt on Mr Yushchenko's life. The question now is whether those guilty of this crime be caught, tried and given a sentence which is commensurate to their crime. Mr Yushchenko has a duty above all to himself and his family, to Ukrainians and the world to ascertain the truth, to tell the truth and ultimately obtain justice. Until he does, it is possible that Ukrainians may never feel completely safe or feel free.
Vasyl, Cheltenham, UK

This kind of evil act only serves the cause of the Ukrainian people and their quest for democracy. The Ukrainian people have given us all hope, now I hope they get the government their courage deserves.
Tim, Manchester, UK

Yushchenko will find it very difficult to prove to the Ukrainian people that he is capable of not only governing the country but also keeping it united Vladimir, Kiev, Ukraine

Yes, he was poisoned. Everyone in Ukraine knows about it except for the government. I think that now Yushchenko will find it very difficult indeed to prove to the Ukrainian people that he is capable of not only governing the country but also keeping it united.
Vladimir, Kiev, Ukraine

Mr Yushchenko's facial scarring is but a physical manifestation of the battle he fought - and won. Fellow Ukrainians should look at him with pride, for he bears the scars of freedom!
Simon, London, UK

When you see a before and after picture of Mr Yushchenko, the differences are striking. So much so that you have to ask yourself is this the same man? The stakes are obviously very high in the Ukraine, with everything that is going on, this is suspicious beyond belief. I suspect that this is not the same person. I think he has been replaced.
John Smith, Torquay, UK

Political assassinations have been happening for centuries however the act of poisoning has always been and still is regarded as a shameful act of cowardice. I hope the sub-human degenerates responsible for this outrage are quickly discovered and brought to justice.
John, San Antonio, Texas, USA

This is only the tip of the iceberg where totalitarian governments, big business, and politics collide Chris, US

Unfortunately, this is only the tip of the iceberg where totalitarian governments, big business, and politics collide. Does anyone believe the human race will ever escape such deadly intrusions into power? As long as money is to be made or power is wielded, humans will continue to commit the most loathsome and inhuman acts. It is in our nature. I would love to live in a utopia, as many of us would, but underneath we are still beasts. If you don't accept that or believe you are different, you are living in a fantasy world. I hope it never crumbles for you.
Chris, US

I hope that Mr. Yushchenko triumphs over adversity and wins the election on December 26. They have already gone beyond the point of no return, freedom will prevail in Ukraine, and the corrupt gangsters and Russian sponsored oligarchs will finally be kicked out of power. Maybe this will send a message to Putin and his cronies in Belarus and Moldova that the people of Eastern Europe will not stand idly by and allow the dark days of the secret police and KGB to return.
Jonathan Gilroy, Darlington, England

I find it disgusting that politics has come to this. Yushchenko stands as a symbol for democratic nations everywhere. Our thoughts and prayers are sent to the people of Ukraine so that they may find themselves with a legitimate and respectable government that does not resort to such actions.
Sindu , Toronto

I still find it hard to believe that such brutal, primitive things can happen at the highest level of democratic procedure.
Lucy Barnhouse, Grantham, Pennsylvania, USA

Who would have the knowledge and expertise to carry out such an attack. Ryan Nielson, Limerick, Ireland

In light of the obscurity of the poison used and its disfiguring effects on someone running in a presidential race, questions must be asked about who would have the knowledge and expertise to carry out such an attack. It seems unlikely that Yushchenko's opposition in Ukraine could have acted alone in this affair. Perhaps Russian support for Mr Yanuchovich went beyond mere handshakes and rhetoric.
Ryan Nielson, Limerick, Ireland

Apart from the grotesque short term effects of dioxin poisoning, studies have shown that long term exposure to high doses increases the risk of cancer in humans and animals. Viktor Yushchenko may suffer continued ill-health in the future, not a very reassuring thought him with a country to lead. I'm not really surprised that Ukrainian politics would stoop this low. What worries me is that Russia's president Putin continues to support Yushchenko's opponents and will probably dismiss this news as an accident or blame it on those not directly connected with Yanukovych.
Ben, Cambridge, UK

I am shocked that people could stoop so low in what is supposed to be a democratic country. Now we at least know what a high dose of dioxins does to people.
Mabon Dane, Haverhill, UK

I find it stunning the extent to which 'experts' have up until now been willing to refute the possibility that Yushenko was poisoned. Simply comparing photos of his face before and during the election campaign, it appears as though he has aged 20 years, not to mention the fact that the health of his skin has seriously deteriorated. And to think that a leading British poisoning expert and the University of Miami's professor of dermatology just put it down to stress!
David, Oxford, UK

Mr. Yushenko's opponent made the remark, "He probably ate some bad fish". The people have spoken, they want Mr. Yushchenko as president. I just hope his opponent realizes the ramifications of this fiasco. The world does not need another country teetering on the brink of war.
Ken Knickerbocker, New York, USA

They did not expect Mr. Yushchenko would survive and furthermore that it would become public worldwide. Eva Stec, Wallington, New Jersey, United States

These types of human eliminations were 'the norm' in the Soviet Union. Why should they change? Just because the political parties changed names? They are the same communists, and these are their tactics. Finally the world knows what they are capable of. They did not expect Mr. Yushchenko would survive and furthermore that it would become public worldwide. Now it will be interesting how they are going to react.
Eva Stec, Wallington, New Jersey, United States

The fact that Yushchenko was poisoned once again shows what kind of people he is up against. He is Ukraine's hope for a free, prosperous future. After he wins the presidency, Europe will have a moral obligation to welcome Ukraine to its fold. Otherwise, the struggle of Yushchenko and millions of his supporters will have been in vain. The majority of Ukrainians are honest, hard-working people who share European values and want to be a part of Europe and not a province of Russia.
Oleh, Zaporizhya, Ukraine

Mr. Yushchenko is a hero, a gift, not only to the Ukrainian people, but to the world. He has my prayers for comfort, renewed good health and victory.
Ruth LeFaive, Los Angeles, United States

This is a prime example of how petty and small minded people can be. To think we have gotten over two world wars, two conflicts in Iraq, and ethnic cleansing to have people poison others. This is not only petty it's ridiculous. I am sickened to my stomach to know that people in positions of influence can lower themselves to acts such as this.
Nicky Bridge, Atherton, North West UK

I find it disgusting that politics could have caused this C R, London, UK

I find it disgusting that politics could have caused this. Don't Western liberals understand that these are the kind of problems about to be unleashed from the fringes of the EU (same goes for Romania)?
C R, London, UK

It's outrageous that he was poisoned but gratifying that it wasn't lethal. I admire his tenacity with continuing the struggle in Ukraine after being attacked and give three cheers for the support of democracy over there.
Holly, Miami, Florida, USA

I wonder if there's any information available in how Mr Yushchenko will heal from the effects of the dioxin poisoning? I hope this event or the clarification of this event won't produce any conflicts or violence in Ukraine.
Markus, Riga, Latvia

They've only just concluded that Mr. Yushchenko was poisoned?! I thought it seemed obvious. I think the more important question is "by who?" and when we have an answer, the appropriate punishments should be implemented.
Jack, London

Mr Yushchenko is almost never alone. If his poisoning were accidental, surely others in his entourage would have been similarly affected. The poisoning appears deliberate. Sadly, it seems that it's only newsworthy because he survived. Had he died, the press would have let the story fade and there would be no repercussions for geopolitics.
David Foley, Northport, Maine USA

I think that the recent report of the poisoning of opposition Ukrainian Leader is not in the interest of peace in that country. Why? Ukraine has known relative peace for years now, unlike in the case of my country, this is the time that pure democracy take root in Ukraine. These signs do not communicate peace in a world that has so been touched by violence and strife.
Mulbah K Yorgbor Jr, Monrovia, Liberia

It answers one question, but then creates many more. Who poisoned him? And why? Tony, UK

It answers one question, but then creates many more. Who poisoned him? And why? Surely the opposition wouldn't be so stupid to do something so obvious that could be pointed at them?
Tony, UK

This is an example of how dirty and dangerous Ukrainian politics can be. On 26 Dec they should make sure that they get out and vote for Yushchenko because he might bring some democracy to Ukraine. He will certainly be better than any of the Kuchmas and Yanukovichs.
Sameer Bhasin, Memphis, USA

I find it horrendous that this kind of attack can happen in a political race and that it was not reported earlier.
Matt, Edinburgh, Scotland

We convince ourselves that we live in enlightened times, but this sort of evidence surely must lead us to think that the world is as scary as ever
Martin, Derby, UK

I think it is a disgrace. It show how far the government was willing to stay in power.
Ywe, UK

Not surprising, you have the Russian version of democracy, which is democracy through fear, intimidation, assassination, fraud, and total control of the media. In other words democracy is great if only you can win!
Pete, Ottawa, Canada

What year are we living in? This is absurd in this day and age. This is something Stalin would have done.
Ian Gavet, San Francisco , USA

It is hard for me to believe that it was on purpose that he got dioxin poisoning. How many other people around him got it? Why only him at a crucial point in Ukrainian elections and not anyone else? It will be interesting to find out who did it.
Russ Black, USA

The fact that Mr Yushchenko was poisoned seemed fairly obvious, it should not come as any shock to anyone.
George McGeachie, Okotoks, Alberta, Canada