Comedian Wins Ukrainian Presidential Vote By Wide Margin
A comedian has won the Ukrainian presidential election run-off, a result which was not expected by many political pundits in the eastern European country.
With nearly all ballots counted in the run-off vote, Volodymyr Zelensky (41) has garnered 73 per cent with the incumbent Petro Poroshenko trailing far behind on 24 per cent.
Poroshenko has since conceded defeat but says Zelenksy is too inexperienced to stand up to Russia effectively.
Ukraine was part of the now defunct Soviet Union dominated by Russia, the regional regional power.
A few years ago Russia annexed the Crimea, a part of Ukraine and has also deployed troops to support rebels in Eastern Ukraine after a quarrel between the two states.
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Zelensky is considered a political novice, who is best known for starring in a satirical television series Servant of the People, in which his character accidentally becomes Ukrainian president.
Speaking to journalists soon after his victory became apparent, Zelensky vowed to restore peace in eastern Ukraine. He said:
I think that we will have personnel changes. In any case, we will continue in the direction of the Minsk [peace] talks and head towards concluding a ceasefire.
The European Council President Donald Tusk hailed the country for holding peaceful elections. Said Tusk:
A decisive day for Ukraine. Free elections and peaceful change of power = strong Ukrainian democracy. Congratulations to Volodymyr Zelensky. The EU is determined to continue its support.
More: BBC News
