"I will do everything so that for the time when I will be holding the post of president, Ukraine becomes a member of the European Union," Tymoshenko said at a press conference yesterday (14 January), just days before a crucial election.
The first round of the presidential election takes place on Sunday 17 January, but the winner is not expected to be known until the second round, on 7 February.
Tymoshenko's words could be interpreted as a longer term ambition for the next five or ten years. The country is a semi-presidential republic - the president nominates the prime minister who must be confirmed by parliament. The presidential term is five years, renewable once. However, the entire Ukrainian press stated that Tymoshenko had pledged to take her country to the EU in five years.
Tymoshenko said that, if elected, she would ask the government to negotiate and sign an EU-Ukraine "political association agreement" in 2010. She also expressed hope that on the same occasion, a free trade zone could be established between Ukraine and the European Union.
The presidential hopeful said her country should adopt five priorities on the road to EU accession. She listed these as ousting the oligarchs from political power, creating conditions for the sustainable development of human capital, achieving energy independence vis-à-vis Russia, reforming health care, education and science, and "creating Europe in Ukraine".
"I trust that with those well-defined priorities and a well-managed implementation the situation would change radically," she said.
With Russia, she said that would seek a mutually-beneficial partnership that would not antagonise relations.
In the meantime, the Finacial Times wrote that Ukraine's business oligarchs are split over the country's presidential contenders, with some backing Viktor Yanukovich (see 'Background'), some Tymoshenko, and others hedging their bets.
Sergey Taruta, a steel billionaire who favours Ms. Tymoshenko, is quoted as saying: "Some leading business groups are actively involved in [politicians' battles], manipulating the political situation for personal gain."
According to the New York Times, Yanukovich is leading in opinion polls and close to extracting his revenge. If Yanukovich becomes president, it will be a victory for the Kremlin, the US daily writes.
An opinion poll by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center, published today, reveals that Tymoshenko could fail to make the second round. Yanukovych is the favourite to win the first round with 30.5%. Former Economy Minister Serhiy Tyhypko is in second place with 14.4%, and Tymoshenko is in third place with 13.9%.
