US denies supporting any candidate in Ukraine

The United States on Friday denied that it is supporting any candidate in Ukraine's presidential elections.

"We do not support any particular candidate in Ukraine's presidential election. We support the Ukraine people in their efforts to have their will reflected through a peaceful, democratic process," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said at a news briefing.

"We provide support to NGOs (nongovernmental organizations) and other international organizations all over the world to assist in making sure that there are free and fair elections," he said.

The United States has admitted that it provided money to Ukraine's institutions to make sure that there is "free and fair" elections in Ukraine, but denied it ever provided funds to any particular candidate.

Ukraine has been in a political crisis since the Nov. 21 presidential election, victory in which has been claimed by both pro-Moscow candidate, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, and pro-Western candidate, opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko.

Ukraine's highest court has ordered to have a new runoff vote on Dec. 26.