Petro Poroshenko

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) says Ukraine's presidential elections have gone in accordance with international norms and standards.

The OSCE election monitors noted that turnout was higher than expected (40%), but pointed out the closure of polling stations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions as serious violations.

Ukraine's former president Viktor Yanukovych says he will respect the results of Sunday's presidential elections.

"No matter in what region and what percentage of the population came to the polls, which choice you have made, I respect this choice that has been made in the most difficult time for our Motherland", Yanukovych said in a statement, quoted by ITAR-TASS.

Moscow "ready for dialogue" with Poroshenko

MOSCOW -- Russia is ready for dialogue with Petro Poroshenko, elected as Ukraine's president on Sunday, "but no mediators are necessary," Itar-Tass is reporting.

The news agency quoted a statement issued by Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov on Monday.

The self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic" has declared martial law to cleanse its territory of Ukrainian troops, its leadership said Monday.

According to exit polls, confectionery tycoon Petro Poroshenko wins 55% of the votes in Ukraine’s presidential elections.

The elections were marked with low turnout in the eastern part of the country, where polling stations were closed in many places by the pro-Russian separatists.

Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko comes far behind in second place with 12.8%.

Ukrainians are going to the polls to vote in a new president after months of unrest following the ousting of former President Viktor Yanukovych.

Eighteen candidates are competing in the contest, which is widely seen as a crucial moment to unite the country.

Ukraine has began a Day of silence on May 24, a day before the early presidential elections scheduled for Sunday, according to international media reports.

On the same day, elections of mayors will be held in seven regional centers - Kiev, Nikolaev, Odessa, Sumy, Kherson, Cherkassy and Chernovtsy.

Kiev authorities may stage provocations during the presidential elections in Ukraine, the people's governor of the Lugansk People's Republic,Valery Bolotov, said Saturday.

Around 75,000 troops will be deployed around Ukraine to ensure security in Sunday's presidential elections.

It is still unclear how many polling stations will be opened in the eastern part of the country, where pro-Russian militia still keep tight control.

Ukrainian presidential candidate Yulia Tymoshenko has vowed to initiate a referendum on EU and NATO membership, if she is elected.