Yanukovich Sworn In As President

Viktor Yanukovich was sworn into office as president on 25 February 2010. Yanukovich indicated in his inaugural speech that he would pursue a foreign policy that would balance relations between Russia and the West, envisioning Ukraine as a "neutral European state." Members of Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko's party -- Yanukovich's rival candidate who had contested the election but eventually withdrew her appeal -- did not attend the event, leaving the chamber half empty. Yanukovich's Party of Regions is currently negotiating a coalition in Parliament that would allow for her removal from the premiership. Yanukovich may also call for an early parliamentary election, leaving open the possibility of continued political instability in Ukraine.