Ukraine's new president Petro Poroshenko says he will push for EU integration
- 10 years ago
Ukraine’s new president, Petro Poroshenko has said his first priorities were EU integration and to get Crimea back.
The billionaire tycoon won Sunday’s presidential election with 54% of the vote, according to early results.
Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv, the 48-year-old said he would be talking to international leaders before his inauguration so that in the first weeks of his presidency the country could take steps towards integration with the EU.
Poroshenko also said he would meet with Russian officials within weeks to secure their help in resolving the crisis in the east of Ukraine.
He listed his main goals as to establish peace and unite Ukraine as well as fight corruption and reform the judiciary.
“One of my first priorities will be to fight corruption and take brave steps in order to build an independent judiciary system,” Poroshenko announced. “I’m sure that the country will see the benefits of the results in the near future. That means a total change to the power system in Ukraine.”
Known as the “chocolate king” because of the fortune he has made as owner of Ukraine’s largest confectionery manufacturer, Roshen Poroshenko confirmed he would sell his businesses but not his TV channel, 5 Kanal TV.
“From now on we will have a new tradition: when a person takes a high position of office, he gets rid of his business, sells it and concentrates all his efforts and time on serving the people. I’m going to do the same, “ Poroshenko said.
Former boxer Vitali Klitshko has claimed victory as Mayor of Kyiv. One of the leaders of the Maidan protests, he stepped aside as a presidential candidate to support Poroshenko.
Klitshko announced at the same press conference that the barricades and tents of the Maidan protest would be cleared and a memorial to those who died during the protests would be put up in the Independence Square.
The billionaire tycoon won Sunday’s presidential election with 54% of the vote, according to early results.
Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv, the 48-year-old said he would be talking to international leaders before his inauguration so that in the first weeks of his presidency the country could take steps towards integration with the EU.
Poroshenko also said he would meet with Russian officials within weeks to secure their help in resolving the crisis in the east of Ukraine.
He listed his main goals as to establish peace and unite Ukraine as well as fight corruption and reform the judiciary.
“One of my first priorities will be to fight corruption and take brave steps in order to build an independent judiciary system,” Poroshenko announced. “I’m sure that the country will see the benefits of the results in the near future. That means a total change to the power system in Ukraine.”
Known as the “chocolate king” because of the fortune he has made as owner of Ukraine’s largest confectionery manufacturer, Roshen Poroshenko confirmed he would sell his businesses but not his TV channel, 5 Kanal TV.
“From now on we will have a new tradition: when a person takes a high position of office, he gets rid of his business, sells it and concentrates all his efforts and time on serving the people. I’m going to do the same, “ Poroshenko said.
Former boxer Vitali Klitshko has claimed victory as Mayor of Kyiv. One of the leaders of the Maidan protests, he stepped aside as a presidential candidate to support Poroshenko.
Klitshko announced at the same press conference that the barricades and tents of the Maidan protest would be cleared and a memorial to those who died during the protests would be put up in the Independence Square.