Ukrainian Voters Hope Ballots Will End Crisis

Just two days before Ukraine's presidential elections on May 25, violence continues in the country's east, where separatists propose to follow the example of Crimea and join the Russian Federation.  Despite turmoil, Ukrainians appear determined to cast their ballots in the hope that a new, legitimate government will bring peace and stability.  
Pro-Russian separatists in the eastern Donietsk region are showing weapons they claim were seized during an ambush on the Ukrainian military Thursday.  At least 13 soldiers were killed in the attack.   
International observers hope the violence will subside by Sunday so the election can take place as planned.  

"'I do hope that there will be no military force used between now and the end of the electoral process in order to allow the electoral process to go forward," said Wolfgang Ischinger from OSCE..
Polls show wealthy businessman Petro Poroshenko ahead of two of his closest rivals, says Ukrainian analyst Andriy Bychenko.
"Comparing the main candidates, Yulia Tymoshenko, Sergei Tegipko and Petro Poroshenko, we can confidently say that Poroshenko will definitely win, if not in the first round, then definitely in the second round," said Bychenko.
A retired teacher in Kyiv says he does not like any of the candidates.
"Again we have been asked to choose the best among the bad and the worse.  We've been doing this for the last 23 years.  When the time comes, we should vote for a wonderful future, consciously," he said.
Many Ukrainians say they will vote for the candidate they think is most likely to win........[voanews.com]
22/5/14
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