Tymoshenko Boycott

As Viktor Yanukovich was sworn in as president today there was one notable absence. Yulia Tymoshenko, who was defeated in a recent run-off, boycotted the inauguration. “Viktor Yanukovich was sworn in as president on Thursday saying Ukraine was facing ‘colossal debts’, poverty, corruption and economic collapse. Yanukovich, who is expected to tilt his former Soviet state back towards Moscow, defeated Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko in a Feb. 7 run-off which she tried to contest as fraudulent. In his inauguration speech Yanukovich declared he would pursue a foreign policy involving ties with Russia, the European Union and the United States that would reap “maximum results” for the country. ‘Ukraine needs a strategy of innovative movement forward and such a strategy has been worked out by our team,’ he said. Yanukovich took the oath of office in a low-key ceremony reflecting a bitterly-fought and disputed election which has highlighted deep divisions in the country. His inauguration marked a comeback from humiliation five years ago when mass protests, called the Orange Revolution, overturned an election that had been rigged in his favour.”