RIA Novosti, Russia
Dec 15 2004

DUMA SPEAKER: RUSSIA BACKED NONE OF UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

YEREVAN, December 15 (RIA Novosti’s Gamlet Matevosyan) – At the
presidential election in Ukraine Russia gave no backing to any
candidate, Boris Gryzlov, speaker of the State Duma, told journalists
on Wednesday. He is now in Armenia on a visit.

“During the presidential election in Ukraine, Russia gave no
protection to any candidate. It is my official statement,” Mr.
Gryzlov emphasized.

He stressed that the Supreme Court of Ukraine exceeded powers passing
an unprecedented verdict and nullifying the runoff election. He said
that, under the current legislation, only the Ukrainian Central
Election Commission could take such a decision.

Mr. Gryzlov believes that the runoff was clearly under the force
pressure of one side.

He also noted that only the talks between Viktor Yushchenko and
Viktor Yanukovich had helped in preventing bloodshed in Ukraine.

What happened in Ukraine has produced an effect on the entire
Commonwealth of Independent States, Mr. Gryzlov said.

The State Duma speaker also said that that Russia will cooperate with
any elected president of Ukraine no matter what his name will be.