STATEMENT BY U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL ON UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

This is an historic moment for democracy in Ukraine. While the results of Sunday's election are not yet official, it appears that the Ukrainian people finally had an opportunity to choose freely their next president. As the OSCE observers mission indicated in its statement, while some shortcomings remain, the overall vote brought Ukraine substantially closer to meeting international democratic standards: campaign conditions were more equal; observers received fewer reports of pressure on voters; the election administration was more transparent and the media more balanced than in previous rounds. The Ukrainian people can truly be proud of this achievement.

Throughout the Ukrainian presidential campaign, the United States has supported a democratic process, not a particular candidate. We congratulate Ukrainians for the courage they displayed in standing up for their democratic rights. We call on Ukrainians now to set their divisions behind them and to refrain from violence, separatism or provocations. We have said that we are prepared to work closely with the winner of Sunday's election as long as the election was won in a free and fair contest. We are prepared to move forward on many issues of importance to Ukraine.