Ukraine's disputed presidential race between pro-Western Viktor Yushchenko and pro-Moscow Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich plunged the country into political turmoil through November 2004. The first-round vote on 31 October drew immediate complaints of serious irregularities, with opposition supporters claiming more than one million people were blocked from casting ballots. Official results gave Yushchenko a narrow lead of 39.87 percent against Yanukovich's 39.32 percent.
The 21 November runoff produced an even sharper dispute. OSCE observers declared the vote undemocratic while Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Yanukovich on his victory. Western governments, including the United States, rejected the results. Crowds estimated at 100,000 filled Kiev's Independence Square for several consecutive days, and a similarly sized pro-Yanukovich rally gathered in Donetsk, where regional authorities threatened to seek greater autonomy.
Ukraine's supreme court blocked publication of the official results, and parliament passed a non-binding resolution declaring the vote invalid. Pro-Russia eastern regions warned they might seek separation if a new election were ordered. Outgoing President Leonid Kuchma backed a fresh vote, citing severe risks to the country's financial stability.
On 30 November, Yanukovich offered Yushchenko the post of prime minister and proposed that both men withdraw in favor of new candidates in a fresh poll. Yushchenko rejected both offers.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this AFP wire report, first published in November 2004, in its own words.