Sunday, June 8, 2014

"Ukraine's New Leader Stands Up to Moscow Over Crimea and Europe"

by Richard Balmforth

Ukraine just elected the "Chocolate King" as their new President. Petro Poroshenko gained a fortune as a confectionery entrepreneur.

The billionaire has publicly announced that his country would not give up Crimea to Russia in his inaugural speech on Saturday.

He spoke of peace as he assured that any Russian national would be allowed to turn back now without charges. Granted, according the Putin, they are not helping the separatists in the East. Furthermore, Poroshenko promises more power to the governments in Eastern Ukraine to make their own decisions. There are also promises of rights to Russian-speakers.

The separatists respond with hostility to the idea that they lay down their arms to Ukraine. The separatists have already created what they call a "people's republic." They have only responded to Poroshenko with insistence of their own separation.

This new president seems to want to end the conflict without bloodshed, but this may just be posturing, and the opposite side certainly does not appear to be at any hurry to end it without a fight.

To read full article, click here.

Katie Madel

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