There was a surreal element to the ‘debate’ between the two remaining candidates in Ukraine’s presidential election. The event, which was held on 1 February, was due to bring together Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and Regions Party leader Victor Yanukovych. However, Yanukovych did not attend.

RIA Novosti quotes Yanukovych as saying: “She sees that she has already lost the election and is suggesting I should enter a competition on dirt and lies with her”. The result was that Tymoshenko had the floor to herself. RFE/RL has a nice picture of the broadcast and certainly seems to be suggesting that Tymoshenko is the favourite for the second round.