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 | About 32,000 rally in Yerevan to deman Pashinyan’s resignation About 31,700 people attended an opposition rally on Thursday, May 9 in Yerevan demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Armenian, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister to meet in Almaty Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov will meet in Almaty. Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. |