Petro Poroshenko has been sworn in as Ukraine’s new president at a ceremony in Kiev on Saturday. He won the emergency election in the first round on a promise of change as the country faces a massive political and economic crisis.
The swearing-in ceremony was covered by Ukraine's local media as well as in the international media.
A wealthy businessman with assets in the chocolate industry, media and shipbuilding, Poroshenko previously served in the Cabinets of presidents Viktor Yushchenko and Viktor Yanukovich, chairing Ukraine’s central bank and serving as its foreign minister and trade minister at different times.
Following the inauguration, the new Ukrainian president proceeded to deliver his inaugural address in front of members of the Ukrainian parliament. He faces several tough challenges, including a slide towards civil war, economic slowdown, debt crisis and a potential continuation of public rioting in Kiev.
The president’s immediate plan is to hold early parliamentary election in the country as well as in the regions currently engulfed by violence.
Poroshenko also said he wants a new international treaty that would ensure that Ukraine is defended militarily by foreign nations if its territorial integrity is threatened. He also said Ukraine must pursue visa-free travel with the European Union.
Poroshenko campaigned on a platform of change, promising to free the country from corruption.
