Poroshenko Vows 'Zero-Tolerance' For Corruption

Ukrainian presidential hopeful Petro Poroshenko (right)

Ukrainian presidential candidate Petro Poroshenko says any new leadership of the country should have "zero-tolerance" of corruption.

Poroshenko, in an interview with the Reuters news agency, says that, after the killing of more than 100 people in antigovernment protests and the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych in February, "a new country was born and a new people was born."

He says Ukrainians have earned the right to a path to membership in the European Union after overthrowing Yanukovych who had refused to sign an association and free trade pact with the EU.

But he also says he would not seek to join NATO as this "could split the country."

He says compromise with Russia was possible only after "de-occupying" Crimea.

Poroshenko is one of the leading candidates in the upcoming May 25 presidential election.
Based on reporting by Reuters