Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko has debated with an empty podium after his rival Volodymyr Zelensky - a TV star and comedian- failed to appear. Mr Poroshenko spoke alone to thousands of people in the capital Kiev's Olympic Stadium. Mr Zelensky favoured this coming Friday, two days before they go head to head in the election run-off. But instead the incumbent used his 45-minute wait at the podium to answer journalists' questions, and attack his absent rival. Mr Poroshenko, who critics say has not done enough to fight issues like corruption in the Eastern European nation, dubbed the election campaign a "silent movie", and accused Mr Zelensky of being afraid.

Source: The Star April 15, 2019 04:41 UTC