Rival candidates Viktor Yanukovich and Viktor Yushchenko ruled out the use of force to end the standoff. They called on all political forces of Ukraine to respect the country’s territorial integrity, urging them to focus on social and economic problems. Yushchenko’s opposition agreed to end a blockade of government buildings. Yanukovich and Yushchenko shook hands after the talks, which were also attended by outgoing President Kuchma, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski, Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus, State Duma Chairman boris Gryzlov and OSCE Secretary General Jan Kubis. Kuchma thanked foreign mediators saying that “without their constructive help, it would have been impossible to reach a constructive decision.” “I want to underline that this is a compromise that satisfies all parties,” he said.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Victor Yanukovich came out against any separatist sentiments in the country, he said during Wednesday’s talks. According to Yanukovich, his visit to Severodonetsk, where he attended a congress of his supporters, was aimed at reining in separatist sentiment. “I think we should always control our emotions. Only in this case will we be able to see the problem and ways to solve it,” he said. The premier was responding to criticism from the opposition, accusing the Severodonetsk gathering of separatist ambitions. The members of the congress suggested creating the South-East Ukrainian Republic, an autonomy within the Ukrainian Federation. On Wednesday, the Donetsk authorities said a referendum on autonomy would be held in early January 2005, adding the results would not be binding.

Apparently, Ukraine’s pro-Yanukovich eastern regions somewhat softened their position after meeting with outgoing President Leonid Kuchma and Yanukovich. Kuchma said western regions of the country were the first to split the country by refusing to recognize official authorities. He called on eastern areas not to give in to provocation.