Kiev: Ukraine's presidential election results giving the victory to Russia-friendly Viktor Yanukovich were suspended yesterday pending review of his rival's appeal.

Ukraine's Administrative Court said it would rule on Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko's appeal by February 25, when lawmakers had planned to inaugurate Yanukovich.

Tymoshenko has refused to concede, claiming the election was tainted by fraud.

Until the ruling, the court said, it was suspending the Central Election Commission's declaration that Yanukovich had won the February 7 vote by just 3.5 percentage points.

On Tuesday, Tymoshenko delivered what she said was evidence to the court, and urged a full re-count of the vote.

"I am convinced there was systemic, fundamental, large-scale fraud," the 49-year-old Tymoshenko defiantly told reporters after lodging her appeal at Kiev's High Administrative Court.

She asked her supporters, however, not to hold street demonstrations — as they did in what became known as the 2004 Orange Revolution.

Those pro-Western mass protests led to a court's overturning Yanukovich's presidential election victory that year and ordering a rerun, which was won by Tymoshenko ally Viktor Yushchenko.

International observers have deemed Ukraine's latest election free and fair, dealing a blow to Tymoshenko's chances of mounting a successful court challenge. President Barack Obama and other leaders have already congratulated Yanukovich.

‘Mere formality'

Anna German, the vice-chairwoman of Yanukovich's Party of Regions, dismissed the court deliberations as a "mere formality".

"These proceedings can't overturn the obvious: The majority of Ukrainians have voted for Yanukovich," she said. "The entire world has recognised Yanukovich's victory."

Yanukovich campaigned on promises to improve ties with Russia, which became strained as pro-Western Yushchenko sought Nato and EU membership for Ukraine.

Outgoing President Viktor Yushchenko said on Tuesday the policies of his newly elected successor risk turning Ukraine back into a Kremlin vassal state.

Yushchenko made the statements at a news conference nine days before he is due hand over power.