Ukraine presidential hopefuls will debate in Olympic stadiumApril 4, 2019 - 13:40 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The gauntlet has been thrown down — Ukrainian Presidential candidate Volodymyr Zelensky has challenged Ukraine’s current leader to a debate. A presidential showdown of epic proportions, if you will. In a polished new video released Wednesday, comedian Zelensky, who has no political experience, challenged incumbent President Petro Poroshenko to a debate in the Olympic National Sports Complex in Kiev, which seats over 70,000 people, euronews says. Standing in a suit and tie in the middle of the empty stadium, the newcomer piled pressure on the current leader to accept his challenge, saying: “I give you 24 hours to decide. Think about it.” A clock is now counting down on the Facebook page of his campaign. Zelensky, who plays a fictional president on TV, grabbed international headlines this week when he led with just over 30% of votes in Ukraine's presidential election on Sunday. The election is expected to go into a run-off vote on April 21 with the top two candidates facing off, as no candidate is expected to win a majority. Whoever wins the vote will inherit a conflict between Ukrainian troops and Russian-backed separatists in the East, after the 2014 Maidan street protests forced out the former pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych and Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula. Ukraine's economy also hangs in the balance and the next leader will decide whether to enforce the reforms required to keep the country in an International Monetary Fund bailout programme. 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 | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |