NATO, EU follow U.S., welcome Ukraine’s Yanukovich

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen warmly welcomed Yanukovich’s election -- although his presidential challenger Yulia Tymoshenko is yet to concede defeat -- a clear signal the military alliance wants to keep Ukraine’s allegiance close.
"NATO is committed to deepening our strategic partnership with Ukraine, including by assisting, where possible, Ukraine’s reform efforts, and I personally look forward to working closely with President Yanukovich," Rasmussen said in a statement, which emphasized that the election had been free, fair and democratic.
Herman Van Rompuy, the president of the EU council of ministers, who was appointed late last year to speak for the bloc’s 27 member states, offered "whole-hearted" congratulations, stepping up the West’s growing acknowledgement of Yanukovich.
"The European Union and Ukraine enjoy close relations based on common values and strong mutual interests," Van Rompuy said, referring to Yanukovich as "president-elect".
"In recent years the relationship between the European Union and Ukraine has deepened significantly... I trust that under your leadership our relationship will continue to thrive."
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev congratulated Yanukovich on his victory on February 9, two days after the ballot.
Yanukovich, a 59-year-old ex-mechanic who wants to improve ties with Moscow but has also not turned his back on Europe, won the run-off vote by 3.48 percentage points, a margin of victory that Tymoshenko has refused to concede.
The team behind Tymoshenko, a co-architect of the pro-Western Orange Revolution of 2004, has accused Yanukovich’s supporters of "cynical fraud" and is forcing a recount of votes in some regions.
WESTERN HAND OUTSTRETCHED
An extended stand-off in the ex-Soviet republic would provoke further instability, deterring foreign investors and dimming prospects for a recovery in the ailing economy, where unemployment is rising among the population of 46 million.
Ukraine, squeezed between Russia and the European Union, is an essential transit route for Russian energy supplies to Europe. That has led it to be used as a proxy in the past, with Russia cutting off gas supplies to Ukraine for unpaid bills.
Western election monitors have widely described the vote as free and fair, adding to Yanukovich’s legitimacy. As a result, Western leaders have slowly begun to welcome his victory.
The White House said on Thursday that the "peaceful expression of the political will of Ukrainian voters is another positive step in strengthening democracy in Ukraine".
Obama wished Yanukovich "success in carrying out his mandate" and "commended the Ukrainian people", a statement said.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy was the first EU leader to acknowledge Yanukovich’s win, calling it a "victory for Ukrainian democracy". In a statement on Thursday he said the Ukrainian people have "expressed their choice in the course of free, pluralist and democratic elections."
The president of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek of Poland, also offered congratulations. Poland has historically been a strong backer of Ukrainian membership in NATO.
Europe

European ministers set for nuclear talks with Iran Friday in Geneva

Starmer puts UK cabinet on alert for possible US strike on Iran

Death toll from Russian strikes on Kyiv reaches 22

Next G7 leaders summit to take place at Evian in French Alps - Macron
NEWS FEED
Iran steps up Israel-related arrests across the country
Putin: Iran 'have not asked' for Russia's help
European ministers set for nuclear talks with Iran Friday in Geneva
Trump meeting in Situation Room has ended-UPDATED
Israel launched 'three major waves of strikes' in last 24 hours - IDF
Putin says Iran-Israel deal that suits both sides is possible
Starmer puts UK cabinet on alert for possible US strike on Iran
Nuclear deal with Iran is still possible: Trump says
Israel says continues to strike Tehran whilst intercepting missiles from Iran
Trump privately approved attack plans for Iran but has withheld final order
Samvel Karapetyan arrested for 2 months-UPDATED-1
'Iran’s regime could fall,' Trump says
Turkish Defense Chief: Increasing resistance power of Azerbaijan and Türkiye is not choice, but necessity
Iran-Israeli War -LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Several injured in strike near police HQ, Iran says
UN chief 'alarmed' by Israel-Iran escalation
Air Force conducts new wave of strikes in western Iran
Iran's IRGC: In the 12th wave, long-range super-heavy Sejjil missiles were launched
Iran's state TV hacked, protest videos aired
Putin should end war in Ukraine before mediating in Middle East – Trump
Fahrettin Altun: Nikol Pashinyan will pay a working visit to Türkiye on June 20
Iran rejects sending delegation to Muscat
Iran confirms temporary internet restrictions
Iranian missiles land in Tel Aviv
Trump says not too late to negotiate with Iran
Chair of Azerbaijan’s Foreign Intelligence Service meets with Turkish Defense Minister
Amendment proposed to Azerbaijan’s Defense Law
Azerbaijani Parliament reveals agenda of its next session
Trump says Putin offered to mediate on Iran issue
Bonn session agenda approved with Azerbaijan’s mediation efforts
MEDİA: We strongly condemn Solovyov's statements and expect an apology
Armenia issues note to Russia over Solovyov's remarks
IAEA: Nuclear facilities in Natanz and Isfahan damaged, no harm reported to Fordow so far
Direct flights between Russia and US may resume by end of 2025
Trump says Iranians want to come to White House
Azerbaijan imports nearly $800 million worth of cars in 5 months
Azerbaijan reduces oil product exports by 14%
Israeli army is currently striking military facilities in Tehran -UPDATED-1
Azerbaijan’s foreign trade turnover increased by nearly 14%
Azerbaijan's Parliamentary Commission on Foreign Interference and Hybrid Threats issues statement on fake news
Israeli army strikes Iranian internal security headquarters in Tehran
65th Plenary Session of PABSEC started in Baku, Azerbaijan passed PABSEC chairmanship to Bulgaria -UPDATED2-1
Muharram begins in Azerbaijan on June 26
Georgian border guards foil attempt to smuggle 300 kg of heroin from Armenia
Turkish minister: Azerbaijan neighborhood will become one of the symbols of the construction of the century
Russian FM thanks Azerbaijan for support in evacuation of Russian citizens from Iran
Azerbaijani, Russian FMs discussed current security situation as a result of Israel-Iran conflict
Technical session of 29th IOTA General Assembly began in Baku
Russian Deputy PM: Oil price already reflects risks
Putin, UAE president voice concern over Iran-Israel escalation