Tymoshenko, former U.S. Secretary of State Albright meet ahead of Ukrainian election

  • 10 years ago
Ukrainian presidential candidate Yulia Tymoshenko and former U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright greet each other with a hug.

Albright is in Kiev to lead a team of international observers for Sunday's election.

Kiev's pro-Western leaders hope the vote will stabilize the former Soviet republic after street protests toppled Moscow-backed president Viktor Yanukovich, and pro-Russian separatists responded by seizing Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine.

(SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, YULIA TYMOSHENKO, SAYING:

"I really hope the elections will take place on the 25th May. We won't let anyone disrupt the elections, and we think the presidential elections are a really strong stabilizing factor for Ukraine. Practically, it gives us hope that we as a country will start the process of stabilization and the return of peace to the country."

Albright expressed support for the election.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) CHAIRMAN OF THE U.S. NAT

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