"We stand against any use of force that might lead to an escalation of conflict and bloodshed," Kuchma read from a statement signed by the two.
Solana reiterated EU's stance that the vote was fraudulent and that future relations between the two sides depended on a "democratic" resolution -- a clear statement of support for Yushchenko's demands.
And US President George W. Bush warned from Washington that he remained concerned about "a lot of allegations of vote fraud that placed their [Ukraine's] elections, the validity of their elections in doubt."
The round-table meeting came as Russia, whose President Vladimir Putin had backed Yanukovich, furiously accused Western nations of applying unlawful pressure to its most important eastern European ally.
"We are alarmed by attempts by certain governments to steer the situation in Ukraine away from a legal path," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
The Ukrainian supreme court is tomorrow due to hear opposition claims that the state rigged the vote in favor of Yanukovich. Analysts have said its judges have shown independence in the past and may back Yushchenko.
New elections in Ukraine are the only possible solution to the current standoff between rival presidential candidates, Dutch Foreign Minister Ben Bot said yesterday.
Bot, speaking to journalists in the capacity of the Dutch presidency of the EU, said new elections were the ``ideal outcome'' of the current standoff.
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