Chocolate king Petro Poroshenko, has won Ukraine’s Presidential election, promising to re-engage with Russia, but also vowing to suppress pro-independence rebellion in Russian-speaking eastern regions “within hours.”
With over 80 percent of the votes counted, Mr. Poroshenko won just over 54 percent, four times more than the runner-up, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.
The turnout was 60 percent, but in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which declared independence from Ukraine, the vote was largely disrupted. Overall, a mere 5 percent of voters in the two rebellious provinces cast their ballots, according to the Committee of Ukrainian Voters.
Addressing a press conference, Mr. Poroshenko stressed the importance of mending relations with Russia. “Russia is our biggest neighbour and despite numerous differences, there are many ways for us to begin to solve outstanding issues,” the President-elect said. He announced plans to visit Moscow in the first half of June.
Moscow said it was ready for dialogue with Ukraine’s new leader.
“As the President [Vladimir Putin] has said more than once, we are ready for dialogue with representatives of Kiev, we are ready for dialogue with Petro Poroshenko,” Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a news conference on Monday. However, he warned that Kiev would be committing a “grave mistake” if it resumes the military crackdown in the Russian-speaking eastern regions.
Mr. Poroshenko promised to step up Kiev’s “anti-terrorist operation” in the east. “The operation will not continue for two-three months, but will be over within hours,” he said in televised remarks.
Shortly after Mr. Poroshenko made the statement, fierce fighting broke out in Donetsk for control of its international airport and railway station.
Ukrainian forces used fighter jets and helicopter gunships to attack Donetsk self-defence forces who had taken over the airport during the night. One of the helicopters was shot down, the Itar-Tass news agency reported.
Ukraine’s National Guard attacked rebel positions at the airport and the railway station, but failed to dislodge them.
One railway official was reported killed by a stray bullet. On Monday the self-declared Donetsk People’s Republic declared martial law.
