Decisive day in Ukraine
The new president's chief task will be to lead Ukraine out of crisis. While voting carried on with few major obstacles in the country's west, the situation closer to the Russian border was much more difficult.
Waiting to vote
Big crowds formed to cast votes in Ukraine's presidential election. In Kyiv and throughout western Ukraine, the process has carried on so far with few glitches. Due to massive interest, many voters had to deal with long waits in line before they could cast their ballots.
Chocolate millionaire tipped to win
According to opinion polls, the favorite for president is magnate Petro Poroshenko. The 49-year-old businessman, who first made a fortune manufacturing candy, has long been active in politics, and he has often changed his party affiliation. What Poroshenko's critics dismiss as flip-fopping is praised by supporters as willingness to compromise.
Klitschko isn't running
Poroshenko enjoys Vitali Klitschko's support. The protest movement leader is shown here with his wife and his brother, Vladimir, while voting in Kyiv. Klitschko was once considered a possible candidate for president, but now he has set his sights on becoming mayor of the Ukrainian capital.
Tymoshenko's return
Ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is also seeking the presidency. But opinion polls put her well behind the frontrunner, Poroshenko, in second place. However, if Poroshenko cannot attain an absolute majority during the first round of voting, Tymoshenko might just be able to pull it off in a runoff. She's no stranger to an upset.
Crimean complexities
In total, around 35 million Ukrainians are eligible to vote. That figure includes residents of the Crimean peninsula, which has been annexed by Russia, but is still considered by Kyiv to be part of the country. Crimea residents can only vote on the mainland.
Voters in danger
In eastern Ukraine, voting could only be carried out in a limited fashion. On Sunday (25.05.2014) in Luhansk, just two of 12 districts were able to open their polling stations, according to official figures. Local media reported various attacks by separatist forces targeting voting sites.
Protests in Donetsk
Opponents of the Kyiv government gathered at the Lenin monument in Donetsk for a protest. They called for the region to split off from Ukraine, and urged people to boycott the presidential election.
Journalists killed
Italian photojournalist Andrea Ronchelli (right) and his translator, Andrey Mironov, were killed Saturday near the rebel stronghold Slovyansk in a knife attack. The 30-year-old Italian was attempting to document the conflict in eastern Ukraine in the days surrounding the presidential election.