ITALY

ITALY
Corriere della Sera, Milan, Dec. 1: In front of the challenge between the two Viktors and their supporters, the West seems to be more or less prudent, even if economic contributions are said to have already reached the "orange party."
But Americans, just like Europeans and above all Lithuanians and Poles, could not consider legitimate this ballot that is vitiated by electoral frauds.
On the other hand, Putin could not acknowledge any electoral frauds that he would then be forced to blame.
Obsessive fear
Putin seems focused on the obsessive fear that the Russian Federation will be isolated, after losing its remaining influence on Baltic countries and Georgia.
What should the West do in case a despotic and illegitimate regime prevails in Kiev? They could not support Ukraine anymore ... or open the borders and the access to the World Trade Organization. These concerns, besides the risk of a civil war, are the reasons behind any intermediation in Kiev.
JAPAN
Asahi Shimbun, Tokyo, Nov. 25: Ukraine is facing its most serious political crisis since gaining independence in 1991.
The political storm was triggered by the vote count for the presidential run-off held Sunday, which decided that Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich had defeated his opposition challenger, former Prime Minister Viktor Yushchenko, by a slim margin of 3 percent points.
Pro-Moscow sentiment
What is worrying is that the current conflict could further divide the country. The southeastern half of the country has close traditional ties with Russia and tends to show a strong pro-Moscow sentiment. The nation's northwest, which was once under lengthy rule by major European powers, is keen on joining the European Union. The two regions rival in size, with roughly the same population.
But Ukraine leaders should understand that if the political chaos continues, eventually leading to bloodshed, Ukraine would suffer serious wounds. Such a development would also have negative consequences for stability in all of Europe and Russia's relations with the United States.
BRITAIN
Daily Telegraph, London, Nov. 27: On the streets of Kiev, the balance is tipping towards those who want Ukraine's election result reversed. The Supreme Court ruled that the Central Election Commission should not publish the final results until Viktor Yushchenko's challenge to them had been heard.
Television coverage of the mass demonstration has dramatically expanded; a general from the SBU intelligence agency shared a platform with Mr. Yushchenko; and some soldiers and policemen came over to his side.
Yushchenko's supporters
President Leonid Kuchma and Viktor Yanukovich, whom the election commission declared the winner, have ruled out the use of force. Their supporters appear to be no match for the 200,000-300,000 demonstrators behind Mr. Yushchenko.
The week has seen a softening of Vladimir Putin's position, from congratulating Mr. Yanukovich on victory in an "open and honest" election to a call for the conflict to be resolved by legal means.
There are glimmerings of a compromise. But we are not there yet. Mr. Yanukovich has said that the demonstrations must stop before progress can be made, an impossible demand for Mr. Yushchenko, whose strength lies on the street.
The struggle over Ukraine's future remains undecided. But, after five days in the cold, the protesters have reason to be satisfied with their brave persistence.