KIEV, April 22. /TASS/. Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich congratulated Vladimir Zelensky on his landslide victory in Sunday’s runoff presidential election, his spokesman Yuri Kirasir said.
Yanukovich noted that Ukrainians entrusted Zelensky with "this post when the country is facing a challenging moment of history." "A peaceful Ukrainian people is split and radicalized as never before. The kith-on-kin war in my native Donbass region every day claims the lives of Ukrainians and destroys the region, which used to be prosperous," he noted.
The former Ukrainian leader put the blame on incumbent President Pyotr Poroshenko for all this. "The fault for enormous sufferings rests with Pyotr Poroshenko and his accomplices, who had pursued the policy of hatred and violence all these years. The voters passed an unambiguous sentence for them during the vote. And history will probably deliver its own tougher judgement," Yanukovich emphasized.
The ex-Ukrainian leader noted that Zelensky was facing challenging tasks now. "The priority is to bring peace to our country, unite and reconcile the Ukrainian people, restore law and justice, improve the welfare of Ukrainians. Replace fear and dismay in people’s souls with hope and faith in the best, bring people what unites them rather than divides," Yanukovich said.
Yanukovich praised wise Ukrainian people, who were not deceived and subjected to provocations and lies, but made the right choice. "The Ukrainians trusted you and hope that you will bring our people peace and prosperity. Don’t let them down," he stressed.
Showman Vladimir Zelensky, a candidate from the Servant of the People party, is leading the runoff presidential election in Ukraine, securing 73.18% of the vote, while incumbent President Pyotr Poroshenko garnered 24.49%.
In accordance with the Ukrainian law, the Central Election Commission must publish the official election results no later than ten days after the election day, that is, by May 1, 2019. The new president is due to be sworn in by May 31.