KYIV, April 15 - Comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the leading presidential candidate, is in talks with his opponent over attending the next public debates, officials said Monday.
Zelenskiy skipped the first debates at a soccer stadium in Kyiv on Sunday, making incumbent President Petro Poroshenko turn the debates into a rally.
Poroshenko's adviser Yury Biryukov said he expected his boss to go face to face with Zelenskiy on April 19.
He wrote on Facebook: "So that no one has any illusions - this was a warm-up today.
"Now there is a serious discussion with Zelenskiy’s headquarters about the time of the debate at the stadium and in the studio.
"That is, if they can decide. 19/04 we are waiting for (the second) round. We are ready."
Zelenskiy's campaign Twitter account appeared to confirm he would be attending, saying: "Volodymyr Zelenskiy ... carefully watched the debate. It's like in sports. Before an important fight it is necessary to carefully examine the opponent's tactics and see weaknesses."
On Sunday, spectators were left bemused by the sight of Poroshenko standing next to an empty podium after Zelenskiy was a no-show.
Zelenskiy, who won 30% of the votes in the first round of the election despite being a political novice and a comedian and actor by profession, had not said he would take part in Sunday's event.
According to Ukraine's election law, presidential candidates must have a televised debate by the last Friday before the run-off vote, which will take place on April 21.
Poroshenko, who had wanted Sunday's event to be the debate, effectively turned it into a rally, answering questions from journalists in front of a bank of TV cameras.
He used the question and answer session to mock Zelenskiy, who is yet to spell out his full political agenda.
Poroshenko said: "I do not like that a presidential campaign in Ukraine looks like a silent movie. I must say: Ukraine's fate is in danger." (sky/ez)
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