Ukraine must join EU in five years: Tymoshenko

(KIEV) - Ukrainian prime minister and presidential candidate Yulia Tymoshenko made an impassioned vow Thursday to bring Ukraine into the EU within five years if she wins this weekend's elections.

Tymoshenko highlighted in a keynote address in Kiev the policy differences between herself and her main rival Viktor Yanukovich, who is leading the polls and seen as a pro-Russian figure.

"Ukraine must become a member of the European Union and for me that is a priority. I will do everything so that during my presidency Ukraine becomes a member of the EU," Tymoshenko said.

She said an association agreement should be signed with the European Union this year, as well as an accord on the creation of a free trade zone.

Opinion polls show Yanukovich with a lead of around 10 percent ahead of Sunday's elections.

However with 18 candidates standing, a February 7 run-off is almost certain and analysts believe the prime minister still has a chance of making up ground by then.

Tymoshenko has traditionally been seen as a pro-EU figure although the warmth of her relationship with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has led analysts to conclude she has drawn closer to Moscow.

Her former ally in the Orange Revolution that ousted the old elite in 2004, President Viktor Yushchenko, had also vowed to bring Ukraine into the EU but his plan fell apart amid chronic political instability and economic problems.

Ukraine's presidential mandate is for five years.