London, June 7 (IANS): Petro Poroshenko was sworn in as the new Ukrainian president Saturday amidst hopes of an end to the tensions in the country.
Former acting President Oleksandr Turchynov began the swearing-in proceedings with a speech welcoming the dignitaries, BBC reported.
Ukraine's former President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted in Feb this year which gave rise to escalating tension in the country brought about by pro-Russian separatists. Also in March, the Black Sea Peninsula of Crimea joined Russia which deepened the crisis.
The swearing in ceremony took place at the parliament in Kiev.
Poroshenko, owner of Ukraine's Roshen chocolates group, took the oath of office and is expected to enunciate his plans for ending the current crisis.
The 48-year-old tycoon won the presidential election which was held May 25.
Dignitaries attending the ceremony include US Vice-President Joe Biden.
Poroshenko on Friday briefly met Russin President Vladimir Putin during the D-Day celebrations in Normandy, France.
Poroshenko said that the meeting could be the start of a dialogue.
A billionaire businessman, Poroshenko served as the minister of foreign affairs from 2009 to 2010 and as the minister of trade and economic development in 2012.
From 2007 until 2012, he headed the Council of Ukraine's National Bank.
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