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Poroshenko to be sworn in president of Ukraine Poroshenko to be sworn in as president of Ukraine
(35 minutes later)
Petro Poroshenko is to be sworn in as president of Ukraine, amid hopes the move could help put an end to deadly fighting in the east of the country.Petro Poroshenko is to be sworn in as president of Ukraine, amid hopes the move could help put an end to deadly fighting in the east of the country.
The 48-year-old tycoon has been buoyed by messages of support from the West, after his victory in the 25 May poll.The 48-year-old tycoon has been buoyed by messages of support from the West, after his victory in the 25 May poll.
On Friday, he briefly met Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying this could be the start of a dialogue.On Friday, he briefly met Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying this could be the start of a dialogue.
Kiev accuses Moscow of backing separatists in the east - a claim denied by the Kremlin.Kiev accuses Moscow of backing separatists in the east - a claim denied by the Kremlin.
Fighting continued on Friday, with pro-Russian rebels reportedly shooting down a government aircraft near the rebel stronghold of Sloviansk.
An Ukrainian army spokesman told local media the plane was carrying aid supplies, but this cannot be independently verified.
Earlier government forces reportedly launched a tank attack near the town.
'Tense tone'
Mr Poroshenko is to be inaugurated in the presence of dozens of foreign dignitaries - including US Vice-President Joe Biden - in the parliament in the capital Kiev.Mr Poroshenko is to be inaugurated in the presence of dozens of foreign dignitaries - including US Vice-President Joe Biden - in the parliament in the capital Kiev.
Russia will be represented by its ambassador, who had been recalled after former President Viktor Yanukovych - seen by many as pro-Russian - was ousted in February. Russia will be represented by its ambassador, whom Moscow recalled after former President Viktor Yanukovych - seen by many as pro-Russian - was ousted in February.
Mr Poroshenko, the owner of the Roshen chocolates group, is also expected to lay out his programme for ending the current crisis.Mr Poroshenko, the owner of the Roshen chocolates group, is also expected to lay out his programme for ending the current crisis.
On Friday, Mr Poroshenko and Mr Putin - along with German Chancellor Angela Merkel - spoke for about 15 minutes on the sidelines of D-Day commemorations in Normandy, northern France. Mr Biden will meet Mr Poroshenko and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk to discuss "the Ukrainian government's agenda for democratic reform, economic development and de-escalation of the crisis in the east," the White House said.
"Naturally, the overall tone of the meeting was very tense. However, the positive aspect of the meeting is that dialogue has at last started. I can say now that negotiations are starting," Mr Poroshenko told reporters afterwards. Clashes continued in some eastern areas as the inauguration loomed. The BBC's Steve Rosenberg, in Donetsk, said there were reports on Saturday of fresh fighting near the rebel stronghold of Sloviansk and shooting further south in Mariupol.
He added that he expected a statement from Russia on the recognition of the presidential election "in the near future" and that the initial phase of negotiations would take place on 8 June. On Friday, pro-Russian rebels reportedly shot down a government aircraft near Sloviansk.
He said he had asked for the cancellation of the Russian parliament's authorisation of the deployment of troops in Ukraine. 'Very tense'
Mr Poroshenko and Mr Putin - along with German Chancellor Angela Merkel - spoke for about 15 minutes on the sidelines of D-Day commemorations in Normandy, northern France, on Friday.
"Naturally, the overall tone of the meeting was very tense. However, the positive aspect of the meeting is that dialogue has at last started. I can say now that negotiations are starting," Mr Poroshenko said afterwards.
He said he expected a statement from Russia on the recognition of the presidential election "in the near future" and that the initial phase of negotiations would take place on 8 June.
Mr Poroshenko said he had asked for the cancellation of the Russian parliament's authorisation of the deployment of troops in Ukraine.
Mr Putin said he liked Mr Poroshenko's approach but would wait to see what he could deliver.Mr Putin said he liked Mr Poroshenko's approach but would wait to see what he could deliver.
"I can only welcome Mr Poroshenko's position that the bloodshed in eastern Ukraine must be stopped immediately," he said, adding that this had to mean an end to the Ukrainian government's "punitive operation"."I can only welcome Mr Poroshenko's position that the bloodshed in eastern Ukraine must be stopped immediately," he said, adding that this had to mean an end to the Ukrainian government's "punitive operation".
"If it continues like that then conditions will be created for developing our relations in other areas as well.""If it continues like that then conditions will be created for developing our relations in other areas as well."
The Russian leader added that the two countries were close to a deal on Russian gas supplies, after energy giant Gazprom doubled its prices and demanded payment in advance.The Russian leader added that the two countries were close to a deal on Russian gas supplies, after energy giant Gazprom doubled its prices and demanded payment in advance.
Isolation warningIsolation warning
President Hollande, who hosted the D-Day events, said the meeting had created conditions for de-escalation. Mr Putin and US President Barack Obama also held an "informal meeting" lasting about 10-15 minutes on Friday, according to the White House.
Mr Putin and Mr Obama also met during the day, and had an "informal meeting" lasting about 10-15 minutes, according to the White House.
Mr Obama said de-escalation in Ukraine depended on Moscow recognising Mr Poroshenko as Ukrainian leader, ending support for separatists and stopping the supply of arms and materiel across the border.Mr Obama said de-escalation in Ukraine depended on Moscow recognising Mr Poroshenko as Ukrainian leader, ending support for separatists and stopping the supply of arms and materiel across the border.
Targeted sanctions were introduced by the EU and US after Russia annexed the Ukrainian territory of Crimea in March, following a controversial referendum on joining Russia.Targeted sanctions were introduced by the EU and US after Russia annexed the Ukrainian territory of Crimea in March, following a controversial referendum on joining Russia.
Since then, a bloody insurgency has gripped Ukraine's eastern provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk, on the Russian border.Since then, a bloody insurgency has gripped Ukraine's eastern provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk, on the Russian border.
Are you in Eastern Ukraine? Are you affected by unrest in the region? You can get in contact by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject title 'Ukraine'.Are you in Eastern Ukraine? Are you affected by unrest in the region? You can get in contact by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject title 'Ukraine'.
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