Ukraine

The two candidates for Ukraine’s presidency squared off in a long-awaited and often bad-tempered debate in Kiev’s Olympic Stadium, their last chance to sway opinion before Sunday’s runoff.

And in the end, it was less of a traditional debate about the many serious issues facing a country of some 44 million that is mired in corruption scandals, struggling economically, and embroiled in a war with Russia-backed separatists -- and more of a name-calling and shouting match.

Ukraine’s two leading presidential contenders clashed in an epic stadium debate before tens of thousands of cheering supporters, hammering one another on everything from the economy and rampant corruption to the festering war against Russia-backed separatists in the country's east.

Se trata del tercer debate presidencial en la historia de Ucrania. Los anteriores duelos entre los candidatos a la jefatura del país se celebraron en 1994 (entre Leonid Kravchuk y Leonid Kuchma) y en 2004 (entre Víktor Yúschenko y Víktor Yanukóvich).

Comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Ukrainian leader Petro Poroshenko Wednesday finally agreed to a debate to close a presidential campaign that has at times descended into farce. The press teams of both candidates however confirmed the pair would meet tomorrow afternoon at the sports arena that seats

El comediante ucraniano Vladímir Zelenski, favorito de los sondeos de cara a las elecciones del 21 de abril, rechazó batirse en un debate con el actual presidente del país, Petró Poroshenko, ante posibles "provocaciones" del mandatario.

Une scène avec deux pupitres portant le nom de chacun des candidats avait été installée en prévision du débat dans le centre de presse du stade olympique de Kiev, le plus grand du pays.

The Ukrainian presidential race took a surreal turn on Sunday when what was supposed to be a debate between the two candidates featured President Petro O. Poroshenko discussing Ukraine’s future with an empty lectern bearing the name of his rival, a comedian.

Leading Ukrainian presidential candidate and actor Volodymyr Zelensky failed to show up to a debate with the incumbent candidate, President Petro Poroshenko (pictured above), on Sunday.

The stadium has confirmed it has received requests to hold debates on both April 14 and April 19, leaving open the possibility that each candidate will show up on his preferred date and speak to supporters alone.

The campaign headquarters of Ukrainian presidential candidate Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed holding a televised debate with incumbent head of state Petro Poroshenko via a live link-up.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and rival Volodymyr Zelenskiy have proposed different dates for a public debate ahead of their presidential runoff on April 21. Political newcomer Zelenskiy, who secured 30.24 percent in the March 31 first-round presidential election, said in a video statement on