Ukrainians overwhelming voted in several pro-Western political parties yesterday in a landmark parliamentary election, another nudge in the former Soviet nation’s drift away from Russia.

Ukrainians have overwhelming voted in several pro-Western parties in a landmark parliamentary election today, another nudge in the former Soviet nation’s drift away from Russia.

Top Western diplomats headed to Kiev today to try to defuse a stand-off between Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych’s government and thousands of demonstrators, following a night in which police in riot gear dismantled protesters’ encampments outside government buildings.

Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych's party claimed victory in an election vote tainted by the jailing of the country's top opposition leader.