Ukrainian candidates discuss coalition

KIEV, Ukraine, March 28 (UPI) -- West-leaning Ukrainian President Victor Yushenko met with pro-Russia Victor Yanukovych of the Party of Regions to discuss a possible parliamentary coalition.

Yanukovych is leading in the Ukrainian elections with 30.7 percent of the votes. Our Ukraine, the party of Yushenko, is third with 15.01 percent, the Russian News & Information Agency Novosti reported.

"They agreed that the official results of the elections had to be announced first, and then they could discuss a possible coalition," said Anna German, an aide to Yanukovych.

Yanukovych said after his meeting with Yushenko that the president "wants stability in Ukraine."

Speculation about a possible parliamentary coalition began after exit polls on Sunday indicated that the vote was likely to be split. It intensified Monday when Yushchenko instructed incumbent Prime Minister Yuriy Yekhanurov to begin coalition talks when the Party of Regions opened a substantial gap over its rivals.

According to Yushenko's press aides, the president was cautious about the consultations, calling them preliminary.