Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

Tigipko said he is ready to become prime minister if he is offered the position after the run-off vote. Businessman Sergiy Tigipko, who came third in the first round of Ukraine's presidential election behind Victor Yanukovych and Yulia Tymoshenko, has said he is ready to become prime minister if he is offered the position after the run-off vote.

"If the new president, Yulia Tymoshenko or Victor Yanukovych, gets the majority in the parliament and offers me the prime minister post, I will not refuse it," Tigipko told Ukrainian journalists in Kyiv on Jan. 26.

Incumbent Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and Party of Regions leader Victor Yanukovych will go head-to-head in the second round of voting on Feb. 7.

Tigipko said Ukraine needs changes and modernization.

"I understand very well how important the prime minister post is in view of the changes the country needs. I am also ready for unpopular reforms, which no doubt will need to be conducted in the country," he said.

"I'm not just interested in getting a job. When we speak about such serious things, we should undoubtedly talk about a package agreement," Tigipko said.

Tigipko said this agreement should clearly describe the anti-crisis program, including the laws that will need to be adopted and the personnel issues.