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| Ukraine names ex-Georgian president Saakashvili as Odessa governor | Ukraine names ex-Georgian president Saakashvili as Odessa governor |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Petro Poroshenko, the president of Ukraine, has appointed former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili to be governor of Ukraine’s southern Odessa region, in a surprise move that is certain to raise hackles in Moscow. | Petro Poroshenko, the president of Ukraine, has appointed former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili to be governor of Ukraine’s southern Odessa region, in a surprise move that is certain to raise hackles in Moscow. |
| At least three people were killed in the east of the country where government forces are fighting Russian-backed separatists. | At least three people were killed in the east of the country where government forces are fighting Russian-backed separatists. |
| Poroshenko made the announcement of Saakashvili’s appointment standing alongside the Georgian at a ceremony in Odessa, where he described him as “a great friend of Ukraine“. He granted Saakashvili Ukrainian citizenship to facilitate the move. | Poroshenko made the announcement of Saakashvili’s appointment standing alongside the Georgian at a ceremony in Odessa, where he described him as “a great friend of Ukraine“. He granted Saakashvili Ukrainian citizenship to facilitate the move. |
| The security of the Black Sea city of Odessa and its surrounding region has become a growing concern for Ukrainians since a separatist conflict broke out in eastern Ukraine following Russia’s annexation of Crimea further along the coast last year. | The security of the Black Sea city of Odessa and its surrounding region has become a growing concern for Ukrainians since a separatist conflict broke out in eastern Ukraine following Russia’s annexation of Crimea further along the coast last year. |
| Saakashvili replaces Ihor Palytsia, a businessman who was appointed governor in May last year after more than 40 people, most of them pro-Russian sympathisers, died in a fire in the port city during a confrontation with pro-western demonstrators. | Saakashvili replaces Ihor Palytsia, a businessman who was appointed governor in May last year after more than 40 people, most of them pro-Russian sympathisers, died in a fire in the port city during a confrontation with pro-western demonstrators. |
| Poroshenko, who is pursuing a course of European integration to take his country out of the Russian orbit, has appointed several non-Ukrainian nationals to government posts, including the finance ministry where US-born Natalia Yaresko has taken over. But this is the first non-Ukrainian by birth to be named to head what is in effect a provincial government. | Poroshenko, who is pursuing a course of European integration to take his country out of the Russian orbit, has appointed several non-Ukrainian nationals to government posts, including the finance ministry where US-born Natalia Yaresko has taken over. But this is the first non-Ukrainian by birth to be named to head what is in effect a provincial government. |
| Saakashvili is widely credited with carrying out radical reforms in Georgia and cracking down on corruption during his term in office from 2004-2013. But the present Georgian leadership has accused him of abuse of power and has asked for his extradition. He denies any wrongdoing and says charges against him are politically motivated. | Saakashvili is widely credited with carrying out radical reforms in Georgia and cracking down on corruption during his term in office from 2004-2013. But the present Georgian leadership has accused him of abuse of power and has asked for his extradition. He denies any wrongdoing and says charges against him are politically motivated. |
| Like Poroshenko, Saakashvili, whose country fought a brief war with Russia in August 2008, is a strong advocate of Nato and European Union membership for his native Georgia and for Ukraine. | Like Poroshenko, Saakashvili, whose country fought a brief war with Russia in August 2008, is a strong advocate of Nato and European Union membership for his native Georgia and for Ukraine. |
| His appointment drew immediate derision in Moscow. The Russian prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev, tweeted: “Saakashvili – head of Odessa region. The Chapiteau show goes on. Sad Ukraine ...“. The ‘chapiteau show’ is a Russian way of referring to circus routines. | |
| Poroshenko expressed confidence that Saaksahvili would bring discipline and carry out much-needed changes in the region. “The people of Odessa should soon feel that their living standards have been raised,” he said. | Poroshenko expressed confidence that Saaksahvili would bring discipline and carry out much-needed changes in the region. “The people of Odessa should soon feel that their living standards have been raised,” he said. |
| In fresh violence in the separatist-minded eastern territories, Kiev’s military reported that one serviceman had been killed and another wounded in attacks by the rebels despite a February ceasefire. | In fresh violence in the separatist-minded eastern territories, Kiev’s military reported that one serviceman had been killed and another wounded in attacks by the rebels despite a February ceasefire. |
| A father and his son were also killed when they triggered a trip wire attached to a grenade while walking in government-controlled territory near the city of Luhansk, the regional head said. | A father and his son were also killed when they triggered a trip wire attached to a grenade while walking in government-controlled territory near the city of Luhansk, the regional head said. |