This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27569057

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Poroshenko 'wins Ukraine election' Poroshenko claims Ukraine presidency
(35 minutes later)
Confectionary tycoon Petro Poroshenko has won an outright victory in Ukraine's presidential election, exit polls indicate. Ukrainian confectionery tycoon Petro Poroshenko has claimed outright victory in the country's presidential election.
They suggest the businessman - known as the "chocolate king" - won more than 55% of votes in Sunday's first round. Mr Poroshenko, known as the "chocolate king", won more 55.9% of the vote in the first round, exit polls suggest.
They also suggest ex-PM Yulia Tymoshenko came a distant second. Eighteen candidates were on the ballot, seen as a crucial to unite the country. Announcing he had won, the 48-year-old businessman promised to forge closer links with the EU and restore peace in restive eastern regions.
However pro-Russian separatists severely disrupted voting in the east. Pro-Russian separatists severely disrupted voting there. Some 20 people have died in fighting in recent days.
No polling stations were open in Donetsk city, and across the region only seven out of 12 district electoral commissions were operating. The separatists are in control of large areas of the Donestk and Luhansk regions. No polling stations were open in Donetsk city, and across the region only seven out of 12 district electoral commissions were operating. The separatists are in control of large areas of the Donestk and Luhansk regions.
Ukrainian officials say turnout was high in the rest of the country.Ukrainian officials say turnout was high in the rest of the country.
As he voted in Kiev on Sunday, Mr Poroshenko, 48, told reporters: "I am convinced that this election must finally bring peace to Ukraine... stop chaos, stop bandit terror in the east." Speaking to supporters in Kiev, Mr Poroshenko said he would support a parliamentary election later this year.
The exit poll results, if confirmed, mean there will be no need for a run-off vote next month. He also said he would never recognise Russia's "occupation of Crimea", annexed by Moscow in March. Asked about relations with Russia, he said the "sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Ukraine mattered most to him.
The presidential elections were called after President Viktor Yanukovych was deposed in February amid mass protests against his pro-Russian policies. Mr Poroshenko is the billionaire owner of the Roshen chocolates group, a TV station and several manufacturing plants.
Sunday's presidential election was called after President Viktor Yanukovych was deposed in February, amid mass protests against his pro-Russian policies.
Independence votes
On Friday Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would respect the outcome and was prepared to work with whomever was elected president.On Friday Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would respect the outcome and was prepared to work with whomever was elected president.
Kiev and the West accuse Russia of stoking separatist sentiment - a claim President Putin denies.Kiev and the West accuse Russia of stoking separatist sentiment - a claim President Putin denies.
Separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk declared independence after referendums on 11 May, a move not recognised by Kiev or its Western allies.
The two regions took their cue from a disputed referendum in Crimea, which led to Russia's annexation of the southern peninsula.
Eighteen candidates were competing in the presidential election, seen as a crucial to unite the country.
The exit polls suggest ex-PM Yulia Tymoshenko came a distant second.
If they are confirmed, there will be no need for a run-off vote next month.