Press

The Guardian

Yulia Tymoshenko to appeal against Ukraine election results

Current prime minister and pro-European presidential hopeful believes Viktor Yanukovych's 3.5% lead caused by vote rigging.

Yulia Tymoshenko has spoken in public for the first time since her defeat in Ukraine's presidential elections a week ago, alleging that the poll was rigged and declaring that she intends to appeal in court. 

In a television address, the prime minister said that she did not recognise the victory of her opponent, Viktor Yanukovych. "I want to make it clear. Yanukovych is not our president, and he will never become the legitimately elected president," Tymoshenko said.

The Russia-leaning Yanukovych won last weekend's election by a 3.5% margin, according to preliminary election results, in a poll described by international observers as an "impressive display" of democracy. Western leaders including Barack Obama and Gordon Brown have congratulated him on his win. Click here for more.