Kiev, Ukraine ? The Supreme Court temporarily blocked publication of disputed presidential election results naming Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych the winner Thursday, bolstering demands by pro-Western contender Viktor Yushchenko’s supporters that he be recognized as president-elect instead.

Many observers interpreted the court’s technical ruling as blocking the immediate inauguration of Yanukovych, who is backed by Moscow.

“This announcement of the Supreme Court means one thing: The people win!” Yushchenko declared Thursday evening to an exultant crowd of more than 100,000 in Kiev’s central square. Yushchenko and his associates, however, also indicated that they would escalate street protests rather than depend on court victories.

Yanukovych countered the opposition’s pressure with a televised appearance.

“The election and the postelection process should be legal,” Yanukovych said. “I don’t see any chance for this conflict to be solved through ultimatums.”

The U.S. and other Western governments have described the election as so marred by fraud that it cannot be considered legitimate.

The Supreme Court ruling was designed to allow it to consider on Monday an appeal by the Yushchenko campaign against Wednesday’s Central Election Commission action declaring Yanukovych the winner.