MOSCOW — "The Ukrainian government is taking some of the sternest measures in the world against the spread of the swine flu virus, ordering schools nationwide to close for three weeks, banning public gatherings and imposing restrictions on travel...The virus is spreading across Eastern Europe, but it was not clear why Ms. Tymoshenko chose to undertake stronger moves, like closing schools nationwide, than her counterparts in Russia and Poland.
There were indications, however, that the government's response was being influenced by electoral politics. Ms. Tymoshenko, one of the leading candidates, and her bitter rival, President Viktor A. Yushchenko, who is far behind in opinion polls in his bid for re-election, both sought to make clear that they were aggressively addressing the outbreak...On Friday, Mr. Yushchenko criticized Ms. Tymoshenko, saying that he had ordered an inquiry into why the country was not, in his opinion, prepared."
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/01/world/europe/01ukraine.html
government’s response was being influenced by electoral politics. Ms. Tymoshenko,<<<
She is supported by Russia, or was in the last election.