Ukrainians voted in the first round of presidential election on March 31.
The Kyiv Post reporters asked people around Ukraine who they voted for, and how they picked the candidate. To see what the voters in Kyiv had to say, check out this story.
Sumy (267,000 people, 333 kilometers east of Kyiv):
Tetiana Dihtiar
student
“I voted for (Volodymyr) Zelenskiy. I was choosing between three: Yulia Tymoshenko, Petro Poroshenko, and Zelenskiy. I decided to go with Zelenskiy because Poroshenko robbed the country, and I don’t like Tymoshenko. This is my first election. I decided to vote so that nobody uses my ballot to cheat.”
Serhii Sokolov
retiree
“I voted for (Yuriy) Boyko because he can bring peace, give jobs to everyone and save people from poverty. He has experience, practice, persistence and a desire to do it.”
Natalia Lutvynova
“I voted for Zelenskiy. It’s time to change the old faces in power. We hope that something will change in a good way. We need to clean it (the authorities) a little bit.”
Renata Drevinska
retiree
“I voted for Yulia (Tymoshenko). I just want to give her a chance. She’s aspired to that (presidency) since 1997. I’m disappointed in men, frankly speaking. So why not give a chance to a woman?”
Borys Kluikov
“I voted for Poroshenko because he has already started his course. The reforms have started. Of course, there’s a lot of dirt and we can prosecute him (Poroshenko) for that but at least something has started – it needs time, around 10 years. And if we now change him for Zelenskiy or Yulia, we will stop (the reforms) for two more years.”
Inna Semenova
“I’ve read about candidates, their programs. And decided to go for Ihor Smeshko. He’s a grown man, has been in politics for a while, was in the army. I think he’s the most suitable.”
Zhytomyr (266,000 people, 130 kilometers west of Kyiv):
Diana Kondratska
“I voted for the first time. I have chosen Zelenskiy because I like him and I like the way he presents himself, his beliefs. He is a new person (in Ukrainian politics) and I trust him. I think elections are important to everyone and people should choose the president because the development of the country depends on it, and our children will live in this country. We are choosing the future now.”
Vitalii Alshevskyi
“I voted for Zelenskiy because he impresses me and I think he is a good person. I’ve watched his interview with (journalist Dmytro) Gordon and I really liked what he was saying. He seems to be an honest man, but let’s see. We all just want changes. I think my voice will be heard and not everything can be bought. At least I hope so.”
Svitlana Yakovchuk
“I voted for Yulia Tymoshenko. I remember when she was a Prime Minister, and I felt the difference (between then and now). I think that this woman has crossed somebody’s road. People say that she did a lot wrong, especially with that gas situation. I think that male part of the Parliament was just wrong about her. She was left alone to find gas for Ukraine, and maybe it was not under her control. But anyways, I think she has a good program and I do hope she can be a President.”
Oleksiy Chmutov
“I always vote for (Anatoliy) Grytsenko. I think I’ve been voting for him for more than 10 years. My choice is based on my own military past and on Grytsenko’s program and his beliefs, of course. I hope my voice is also important for the country.”
Mukachevo (86,000 people; located 600 kilometers west of Kyiv):
Volodymyr Kochetov
entrepreneur and retired police officer
“I voted for (Yulia) Tymoshenko, although I never voted for her before. Since it’s obvious that Zelenskiy will be in the second round, the important thing is who will be second to rival him. God forbid it will be (Petro) Poroshenko. That’s why I chose the lesser evil of the two, Tymoshenko over Poroshenko.
I would definitely vote for (Anatoliy) Grytsenko, but clearly he won’t make it to the second round. And when it’s either Tymoshenko or Poroshenko, it’s better not to fragment the votes. It’s better to put her in the second round.
With Tymoshenko and Zelenskiy in the second round, I will vote for Tymoshenko. Because Zelenskiy is a nice guy, but he has no team, he’s no politician. And how can he be a commander-in-chief? Yulia can’t also, but she has a team. And most likely she will be joined by Grytsenko and others. That’s if she’s smart. But first of all, she’s an insidious woman and she may put someone in jail finally.”
Anatoliy Biloshapka and Liudmyla Biloshapka
retiree and teacher
Liudmyla Biloshapka: “I voted for Yulia (Tymoshenko). I trust her and give her a second chance after she was the Prime Minister. I heard all of her campaign statements and I’m fine with them.”
Anatoliy Biloshapka: “I trust my wife, so I voted for Yulia Volodymyrivna (Tymoshenko). I respect her. She suffered after being put in jail by (Viktor) Yanukovych. But she can increase social assistance, salaries, pensions. When she was the Prime Minister, she increased my pension by Hr 300.”
