Ukrainians attempted to end a standoff between their two feuding leaders

Ukrainians attempted to end a standoff between their two feuding leaders in parliamentary elections Sunday that could finally shake some sense into the nation's politics after years of infighting _ or plunge the ex-Soviet nation into even more turmoil. Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych's hope: retain his party's dominance in parliament and thus preserve his job. President Viktor Yushchenko's bet: by forging a last-minute alliance with fiery opposition crusader Yulia Tymoshenko, seize a majority in parliament and unseat his longtime nemesis, Yanukovych. The vote _ the fourth in three years _ will either boost Ukraine's hopes to integrate more closely into Europe or throw it another round of infighting. While forging a coalition with Tymoshenko could takes weeks of bargaining, and Yanukovych would not give up power easily, Yushchenko dismissed concerns about tensions worsening after the vote.