Roman Olearchyk writes: “The U.S. embassy in Kyiv has criticized Viktor Yanukovych, Ukraine’s president, over local elections held at the weekend saying they “did not meet standards for openness and fairness.” The statement issued by the embassy on Nov. 3 is the strongest international criticism yet of the poll in which Yanukovych's Regions party is dominating opposition parties amid cries of fraud. The hard-hitting comments indicate that Mr Yanukovych is seen as failing to fully uphold his promise to preserve democratic gains made since the 2004 Orange Revolution. Back then, a vote rigged in his favour was overturned amid massive pro-democracy protests.”
