KIEV (AFP) - A political crisis gripped a bitterly divided Ukraine as the pro-West opposition planned more mass demonstrations to protest a contested presidential vote claimed by the Russia-friendly prime minister.
The weekend election has split this former Soviet republic down the middle, with the Ukrainian-speaking west behind opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko and the Russian-speaking east backing Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich.
Russia and the West also faced off over the poll in this strategic eastern European country -- Moscow called the election free and fair while Washington and Europe backed opposition claims that voting was marred by fraud.
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