Ukraine braced for acrimonious election re-run

Ukraine’s rival presidential candidates traded accusations in a charged televised debate that saw opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko accusing his opponent of stealing millions of votes in last month’s run-off, and Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych urging whoever loses the court-ordered rerun to accept defeat.

The two squared off yesterday just days ahead of the St Stephen's Day vote, lashing out at each other, but also shaking hands and exchanging grins when the 100-minute confrontation ended.