Ukraine crisis threatens rift between US and Russia

[CHIMO]

Ukraine's political crisis deepened last night after three days of street protests and political drama threatened to cause a diplomatic rift between Russia and the US.

The opposition leader, Viktor Yushchenko, declared himself the winner of Sunday's presidential run-off against the Kremlin-backed prime minister, Viktor Yanukovich, by swearing himself in after an emergency parliamentary session. The EU and the US tacitly backed Mr Yushchenko's claims by stepping up pressure for a review of the election, which western observers have said was seriously flawed. "The US is deeply concerned by extensive and credible indications of fraud," said a White House spokeswoman.

But President Vladimir Putin of Russia, visiting Portugal, branded criticism of the election "inadmissible" as there were still no complete official results. Ukraine did not need to be lectured, he said.

The US summoned the Russian ambassador to explain why they had endorsed a victory for Mr Yanukovich before the count was completed. In turn, a Russian official lashed out at what he called "unprecedented interference" in domestic affairs.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/ukraine/story/0,15569,1358199,00.html

[pa28]

1. The irony is so thick here.

"The US is deeply concerned by extensive and credible indications of fraud,"

Right idea. Wrong country.

[teryang]

2. Putin gives, chimp takes

How much longer can the phony amicable relationship go on? Chimp stabs him in the back every chance he gets.

[bemildred]

3. Makes you think of Georgia a bit, eh? nt

[gordianot]

4. Powell and Lugar may be right.

Look at who wrote the book on modern voter fraud. Too bad if the Russians took a chapter out of the Bushco book.

I also want to know why the Ukrainians did not arrest Lugar for trying to foment Civil War? How long would a Ukrainian official last if they made the same accusation in Ohio or Florida?