Party of Regions leader and presidential candidate Viktor Yanukovych, has described his election rival Yulia Tymoshenko as a strong opponent, but advised her to admit defeat and to leave the post of prime minister. Speaking in a live link-up with Inter television on the evening of February 7, Yanukovych said: "Of course, Tymoshenko has shown in this election that she was a strong rival or opponent to me. The fact that she has lost this election - it is very important that she loses with dignity, that she follows the road all the way and admits (defeat) just like I did before, when she became the prime minister."

"I think Yulia Volodymyrivna should start preparing for dismissal. She understands this very well. I think she will get a proposal to this effect," Yanukovych said. He noted that she will not lose her post until a new ruling coalition is formed. Talks on a new coalition were in progress, he added.

"Yulia Tymoshenko remains the prime minister of this country. Naturally, when the time comes for a new coalition to be formed, it will take a decision on whom to select as prime minister," he said. "I will most likely put forward a candidacy for prime minister, with whom I would like to start working at this difficult time," Yanukovych said, declining to name any names. He said that other former presidential candidates, such as third-placed Serhiy Tyhypko and fourth-placed Arseniy Yatseniuk, were welcome to join his team.

"I am sure that our voters in the first round showed their high demand for new, so to speak, faces, and both Serhiy Tyhypko and Arseniy Yatseniuk, I am sure, have a great chance to be among the team that will unite Ukraine and will build our country together with me. I am sure that many new faces will join us on this path, as well as experienced people who have already shown their ability to work effectively. We will pursue a policy that will allow professionals, politicians and the country to unite," Yanukovych said.

He also repeated his vow to unite Ukraine: "We see that a very large number of people supported Tymoshenko in this election. The Central Electoral Commission will count the votes up. I think (Tymoshenko's) result will be around 44%. I respect all voters and my task as the future president would be to unite the country." "I will be working for the whole country, for all voters." Yanukovych spoke in Russian.