Volodymyr Zelensky sworn in as Ukrainian presidentMay 20, 2019 - 12:37 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Comedian Volodymyr Zelensky has been sworn in as Ukraine's new president at a ceremony in the capital Kiev, the BBC reports. In his inaugural speech, he said ending the conflict with Russian-backed rebels in the east would be his top priority. Zelensky, who has no previous political experience, scored a landslide victory in last month's presidential election. "We must become Icelanders in football, Israelis in defending our land, Japanese in technology," he said. Hinting at Russia, without naming it, he said Ukrainians must also "become Swiss in our ability to live happily with each other, despite any differences". "Our first task is to achieve a ceasefire in Donbass," he said, referring to the eastern region controlled by Russian-backed rebels. In the election the former television actor ousted incumbent Petro Poroshenko, who had been in power since 2014. Zelensky has promised to tackle corruption, but has given few details of his plans since winning by a landslide on 21 April. At the ceremony, Zelensky was given golden symbols of office, including a sceptre, which he held aloft in a victory salute. A choir in folk costume sang patriotic hymns to welcome him. Russian state TV said no Russian official had been invited to the inauguration. Zelensky is delivering his inaugural address in Ukrainian. But at one point, referring to the conflict in the east, he switched to Russian, saying: "I'm convinced that for this dialogue to start, we must see the return of all Ukrainian prisoners" - apparently a message to the Russian government. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |