Ukraine's parliament has set the inauguration of President-elect Viktor Yushchenko for Sunday.
Thursday's decision came hours after the Supreme Court threw out the final legal appeal by former Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, who alleged that last month's election was fraudulent. Chief Justice Anatoly Varema calls the court's decision final.
Mr. Yanukovych has finally conceded defeat, telling Ukrainian television Thursday that the election campaign is over. He called on supporters to end their protests and begin what he calls a new political struggle. But his legal team plans to appeal the election to the European Court of Human Rights.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who backed Mr. Yanukovych, congratulated Mr. Yushchenko.
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell will travel to Kiev for Sunday's inauguration. NATO is sending Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.