18 Jan 2010 13:09

Yushchenko expected to make statement on first round of election

KYIV. Jan 18 (Interfax) - Incumbent Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko is expected to make a statement after losing in the first round of the January 17 presidential election.

"Presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko is preparing to make a statement today or tomorrow. He may also meet with the press," Roman Bessmertny, deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, told a briefing in Kyiv on Monday.

With 85.61% of ballots counted, Yushchenko has only managed to gain 5.42% of the votes, which puts him way behind Party of Regions leader Viktor Yanukovych who is leading with 35.47% of the vote.

The second round on February 7 is expected to be between Yanukovych and Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.