KIEV (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 14th April, 2019) Oleksandr Fatsevych, the deputy head of the Ukrainian National Police, said on Sunday that about 5,000 people came to the Olympic Stadium in Kiev to watch debates between Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and another presidential candidate Volodymyr Zelenskiy that failed to take place after the latter did not show up.
Poroshenko intended to hold debates with Zelenskiy on April 14 at the Olympic Stadium and invited viewers and media to the venue. Zelensky, in turn, said that he was going to debate with Poroshenko on April 19. Earlier on Sunday, Poroshenko arrived at the stadium and announced that he was ready to wait for Zelenskiy to debate until 15:00 p.m. (12:00 p.m. GMT). As Zelenskiy failed to show up, Poroshenko addressed his supporters.
"Events near the Olympic Stadium were peaceful and calm. The National Police along with the National Guard ensured security during the peaceful gathering of citizens, which was attended by up to 5,000 people," Fatsevych said in a statement.
At the same time, the Ukrainian Security Service said that about 15,000 people attended Poroshenko's address at the stadium.
The first round of the Ukrainian presidential election was held on March 31 and resulted in none of the candidates gaining the absolute majority needed to win the race. Zelenskiy led with 30.24 percent of the vote, while Poroshenko came second with 15.95 percent and will, therefore, confront Zelenskiy in the runoff.
