Kuchma set to run for president again – to force Yushchenko and Tymoshenko to make it up

L. Kuchma stressed he was speaking in earnest, although there was some fun in his statement. “I would like to act as a go-between to make Pres Yushchenko and Premier Tymoshenko join forces against me and leave their squabbles alone,” the ex-president said.

This is not the right time for squabbling, Kuchma said, as a coordinated effort of the power is needed to challenge the recession. Both leaders should meet to work out an anti-recession action plan, he stressed.

“I’m sending a message to the president and premier and the opposition that we need to save Ukraine, not ourselves now,” Kuchma warned.

On March 5 Kuchma said he is prepared to serve as president - for a short time. Later on, he added “Let’s wait and see.”

Leonid Kuchma was elected president twice, in 1994 and 1999.