Ukrainian presidential candidate Yulia Tymoshenko and former U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright greet each other with a hug.
Albright is in Kiev to lead a team of international observers for Sunday's election.
Kiev's pro-Western leaders hope the vote will stabilize the former Soviet republic after street protests toppled Moscow-backed president Viktor Yanukovich, and pro-Russian separatists responded by seizing Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine.
(SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, YULIA TYMOSHENKO, SAYING:
"I really hope the elections will take place on the 25th May. We won't let anyone disrupt the elections, and we think the presidential elections are a really strong stabilizing factor for Ukraine. Practically, it gives us hope that we as a country will start the process of stabilization and the return of peace to the country."
Albright expressed support for the election.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) CHAIRMAN OF THE U.S. NAT
