The European Union believes Ukraine's presidential election did not meet international standards and will urge the Ukrainian authorities to review their conduct and result, Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot said today.
Mr Bot said each of the bloc's 25 members states would summon the Ukrainan ambassador to express concern about the result, which appears to have given victory to pro-Russian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich over pro-Western opposition leader Mr Viktor Yushchenko.
"All EU member states are going to invite the Ukrainian ambassadors to convey our feelings that in our view the second round does not comply with international standards," he told a news conference.
The Netherlands holds the EU's rotating presidency.