Ukraine election result: Comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy wins by LANDSLIDE

With 95 percent of votes counted, Mr Zelenskiy had taken 73 percent with incumbent president Petro Poroshenko winning just under 25 percent. Speaking last night the comedian said: “I’m not yet officially the president, but as a citizen of Ukraine, I can say to all countries in the post-Soviet Union look at us. Anything is possible!” Mr Zelenskiy has no political experience and he is best known for playing a teacher who accidentally becomes president in Ukranian TV series Servant of the People.

The 41-year-old even named his party after the hit show.

His rival, Mr Poroshenko, who has been in power since 2014, admitted defeat but has said he will not be leaving politics.

It comes after the comedian won the first-round vote last month.

Mr Zelenskiy has pledged to end the war in the eastern Donbass region and to fight corruption.

He said on Sunday that he planned to continue European-backed talks with Russia on a peace deal.

And he promised to try to free Ukrainians imprisoned in Russia, which is holding 24 sailors among others.

The comedian has also said he will keep Ukraine on a pro-Western course.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Poland’s President Andrzej Duda both congratulated Mr Zelensky in phone calls.

US President Donald Trump phoned Mr Zelenskiy and pledged to support Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said on Twitter: “You will now truly be the Servant of the People.”

And European Council President Donald Tusk tweeted: “A decisive day for Ukraine. Free elections and peaceful change of power = strong Ukrainian democracy. Congratulations to Volodymyr Zelensky. The EU is determined to continue its support.

“President-elect Volodymyr Zelensky can count on EU’s strong support to Ukraine on its reform path and its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.”

source: express.co.uk