Quotes of the Day

The United States isn't the only country holding a hotly-contested election. Last week the race for the Ukrainian presidency ended in a dead heat, with current Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych taking 39.88% and opposition leader and former P.M. Viktor Yushchenko taking 39.22%. A clutch of 22 other contenders accounted for the rest. Since no one pulled in the necessary 50% of votes, Yanukovych and Yushchenko will meet in a run-off set for Nov. 21.

The result will determine whether Ukraine falls deeper into Russia's sphere of influence or moves closer to the West. Yanukovych is supported by the incumbent Leonid Kuchma, a Soviet-era bureaucrat whose presidency has been marred by allegations of massive corruption, and received a ringing endorsement from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who visited Kiev two days before the election and praised Yanukovych as "the Premier of the most effective Ukrainian cabinet." Yanukovych also relies on the largely Russian-speaking eastern regions of Ukraine. Yushchenko, who wants the country to adopt Western-style political and economic models, is backed largely by people in the west of the country and those who want reform.

If elected, Yushchenko says he'll tackle corruption, make Ukraine attractive for foreign investors and strengthen democratic institutions. The Kremlin's endorsement for Yanukovych rings alarm bells among the opposition. Yushchenko and his allies insist that Putin's praise-along with vigorous support from the Russian politicians and the media-makes Yanukovych a pro-Moscow candidate. One Kremlin official, speaking after the first round results, expressed surprise at Yanukovych's showing. "He is looking a little shaky," said the official, who requested anonymity. "His margin of victory is tiny, despite the resources he had at his disposal. Of course, we are still hoping he will win, but it is hard to see what else he can deploy in the second round." The election has been characterized by accusations of foul play and coup plots from both sides. Yushchenko claims he was poisoned by government forces in September.

The International Election Observation Mission claimed the initial poll "did not meet a considerable number of ... standards for democratic elections." Troops and police have been stationed throughout the city in anticipation of violence. "This country is split," says Ilya, 44, who runs a small home building and repair business in Kiev. "I only hope that we don't break each others heads before we heal this rift."

• YURI ZARAKHOVICH | KIEV
• Ukraine's presidential race ends in a dead heat with claims of vote-rigging and corruption