You're reading: Ukraine’s Yanukovych is sworn in as president

Ukraine's Victor Yanukovych was sworn in on Feb. 25 as president following his Feb. 7 runoff victory over Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko which she tried to contest as fraudulent.

Yanukovych, 59, who is expected to tilt Ukraine back towards its former Soviet master Russia while also moving it towards European integration, swore in his oath of office to defend the sovereignty and independence of the country.