18:32
7.6.2014
Tears, promises & historic precedents: top-moments from Poroshenko's inauguration in one place https://t.co/Qr9NCA0PX8
— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) June 7, 2014
19:49
7.6.2014
Barring any dramatic developments, we are now closing the live blog for today. Don't forget that you can find all our latest Ukraine coverage here.
Before we go, we'll leave you with some of the thoughts of U.S. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, who was present at today's inauguration:
Before we go, we'll leave you with some of the thoughts of U.S. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, who was present at today's inauguration:
A U.S. congresswoman attending the inauguration ceremony of new Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said "the world wants to help" Ukraine in its quest toward a "more open, less corrupt" society.
Attending the event as part of a U.S. delegation headed by Vice President Joe Biden, Marcy Kaptur (Ohio-Democrat) told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service on June 7 that the Ukrainian people have a "big job ahead in making sure that the ministries are honestly run, that young people and experienced people are recruited, who can manage those without bribes, without any hint of corruption or crime."
She said time would be needed for the new president to take control.
"We are more than happy to continue exchanges any way that other countries in the world can assist Ukraine in shaping a vision for herself of where she wants to go," Kaptur added.
She said Ukraine will move forward, not backward, and will elevate itself to meet European Union standards.
Attending the event as part of a U.S. delegation headed by Vice President Joe Biden, Marcy Kaptur (Ohio-Democrat) told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service on June 7 that the Ukrainian people have a "big job ahead in making sure that the ministries are honestly run, that young people and experienced people are recruited, who can manage those without bribes, without any hint of corruption or crime."
She said time would be needed for the new president to take control.
"We are more than happy to continue exchanges any way that other countries in the world can assist Ukraine in shaping a vision for herself of where she wants to go," Kaptur added.
She said Ukraine will move forward, not backward, and will elevate itself to meet European Union standards.
10:09
8.6.2014
Good morning, getting our live blog started for another day.
10:10
8.6.2014
Here's an update from our news desk on the three-way gas talks that are taking place in Brussels tomorrow:
Officials from Ukraine, Russia, and the European Union will hold talks in Brussels on June 9 in an effort to resolve Kyiv's natural-gas debt to Moscow.
A Russian Energy Ministry official said the three sides will also negotiate a price for Ukraine's gas imports from Russia.
Russian gas giant Gazprom nearly doubled the price of natural gas for Ukraine after the February ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych, a Moscow ally.
Ukraine has insisted on paying $268.5 per 1,000 cubic meters for Russian natural gas, while Moscow has said the price was increased to $485 per 1,000 cubic meters.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has threatened to take the issue to an international arbitration court in Stockholm if Moscow does not agree to the lower price.
But he said there could be a compromise on the price.
A Russian Energy Ministry official said the three sides will also negotiate a price for Ukraine's gas imports from Russia.
Russian gas giant Gazprom nearly doubled the price of natural gas for Ukraine after the February ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych, a Moscow ally.
Ukraine has insisted on paying $268.5 per 1,000 cubic meters for Russian natural gas, while Moscow has said the price was increased to $485 per 1,000 cubic meters.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has threatened to take the issue to an international arbitration court in Stockholm if Moscow does not agree to the lower price.
But he said there could be a compromise on the price.
10:11
8.6.2014
10:34
8.6.2014
AP has a story giving more detail about Joe Biden's son's new job at a Ukrainian energy company:
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's visit Saturday to support Ukraine's fragile democracy came soon after his youngest son was hired by a private Ukrainian company that promotes energy independence from Moscow.
Yet that company leases natural gas fields in the breakaway Russian-backed state of Crimea and is owned by a former government minister with ties to Ukraine's ousted pro-Russian president.
The hiring of Hunter Biden, 44, by Burisma Holdings Limited in April was approved by the company's owner, a former senior minister and political ally of Viktor Yanukovych, the exiled Ukrainian president. Yanukovych fled to Russia in February after protests erupted over his efforts to establish closer economic ties with Moscow.
Hunter Biden's employment means he will be working as a director and top lawyer for a Ukrainian energy company during the period when his father and others in the Obama administration attempt to influence the policies of Ukraine's new government, especially on energy issues.
There's no indication that Hunter Biden, his father or Burisma are crossing any legal or ethical lines, although ethics experts appear divided over the implications of Hunter Biden's new job.
Yet that company leases natural gas fields in the breakaway Russian-backed state of Crimea and is owned by a former government minister with ties to Ukraine's ousted pro-Russian president.
The hiring of Hunter Biden, 44, by Burisma Holdings Limited in April was approved by the company's owner, a former senior minister and political ally of Viktor Yanukovych, the exiled Ukrainian president. Yanukovych fled to Russia in February after protests erupted over his efforts to establish closer economic ties with Moscow.
Hunter Biden's employment means he will be working as a director and top lawyer for a Ukrainian energy company during the period when his father and others in the Obama administration attempt to influence the policies of Ukraine's new government, especially on energy issues.
There's no indication that Hunter Biden, his father or Burisma are crossing any legal or ethical lines, although ethics experts appear divided over the implications of Hunter Biden's new job.
10:42
8.6.2014
Some close-up footage of the Ukrainian military here.
10:45
8.6.2014
Reuters has a round-up here of the continuing violence after Poroshenko's inauguration.
10:53
8.6.2014
According to the "Daily Telegraph," a British warship has been sent to the Baltic Sea for military exercises.
A Royal Navy warship has been deployed to the Baltic Sea for a military exercise amid continuing tensions with Russia over Ukraine.
British armed forces are to take part in three operations in the Baltic region to provide "reassurance" to allies in Eastern Europe, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said.
HMS Montrose will take part in Baltops, the largest multi-national naval exercise in the Baltic Sea this year, to improve maritime security in the region, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.
British armed forces are to take part in three operations in the Baltic region to provide "reassurance" to allies in Eastern Europe, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said.
HMS Montrose will take part in Baltops, the largest multi-national naval exercise in the Baltic Sea this year, to improve maritime security in the region, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.
11:04
8.6.2014