The second round of presidential elections is being held in Ukraine today.

The run off is between pro-Russian opposition leader Viktor Yanukovich and pro-Western Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. In the first round Mr Yanukovich won 35 percent of the vote, prime minister Tymoshenko had 25 percent.

Outgoing President Viktor Yushchenko has lost popularity as a result of his failed reforms. In 2004, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians demonstrated for many days in freezing temperatures after then prime minister Yanukovich claimed victory in the elections.

Nothing appears to be left of his orange revolution. President Yushenko’s former ally Yulia Tymoshenko has threatened mass protests if there is election fraud in the second round.

It’s hoped that free and fair elections will bring an end to political instability and economic crisis in the former east-block country.

Both presidential candidates want Ukraine to become a member of the European Union, but the EU is reluctant to allow it to join.

Photos: Victor Yanukovich, Yulia Tymoshencko, Victor Yushencko - wikimedia