EU praises conduct of Ukraine polls

(BRUSSELS) - The European Union welcomed Monday the general good conduct of weekend presidential elections in Ukraine, and urged Kiev to ensure that the second round is just as peaceful.

"The commission welcomes the positive conduct of the first round of the presidential elections in Ukraine," the EU's executive arm said in a statement.

"The commission expects that the leaders of Ukraine will ensure that the next round of voting on February 7 will take place in a similarly peaceful environment and that it will build on the positive aspects of the first round."

Sunday's polls were won by veteran politician Viktor Yanukovich, ending the rule of President Viktor Yushchenko. But he failed to secure a majority and must face a run-off against Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

Despite squabbles over regional violations, no main candidate questioned the results.

The trans-Atlantic security body OSCE and other observers said Monday that Ukraine's elections were of high quality and met democratic commitments, in a major turnaround from the last presidential polls.

"The European Union will continue to support Ukraine in its democratic development and looks forward to the further deepening of EU-Ukraine relations," the commission said.

Tymoshenko pledged last week to bring Ukraine into the EU within five years if she wins the elections. Yanukovich is seen as a pro-Russian figure.