Ukrainians vote today (Sunday) in an election anticipated to install a pro-West government, thus strengthening President Petro Poroshenko’s aim to end the separatist conflict in the east of the country, but could manage to actually increase tension with Russia, Reuters reported.
Wrapped up warm on a clear, cold day, people headed out to the polls for the first time since the protests in Kiev broke out last winter, which forced Moscow-backed Victor Yanukovich to fold and welcomed a pro-Europe Poroshenko as its leader.
Throughout the regions in the east which are controlled by the army, there are armed soldiers wearing bullet proof jackets which guarded the polling stations that are under the Ukrainian flat. However, areas held by pro-Russian rebels did not participate in today’s voting, and will hold a separate election on November 2nd.