Man In A Hurry, Ukraine's New Leader Flashes Steel Behind Smile

[Purveyor]

* President-elect Poroshenko mixes charm and muscle
* Airport attack, scorn for "terrorists" reveal policy
* Billionaire "Chocolate King" a veteran political operator
* Crisis with Russia, rebels offers no easy solutions

By Alastair Macdonald

KIEV, May 26 (Reuters) - Petro Poroshenko does a fair impression of a man with all the time in the world, bantering with reporters in a fluent medley of languages on his first morning as Ukraine's president-elect.

But the chunky, billionaire-issue wristwatch flashing from his well-tailored cuff marks out a man in a hurry; his smooth patter on creating wealth, fighting corruption and embracing European values cracked when pressed on how he can recover Crimea from Russia or defeat pro-Moscow rebels in the east.

And however much those bursts of emotion may have been aimed at the cameras during an expansive 90 minutes before the world's media, he showed he was ready to vent his anger in steel, not just words: within the hour, Ukrainian warplanes were strafing and bombing the rebel-held international airport in Donetsk.

"The anti-terrorist operation should not last two or three months - it should last for a matter of hours," he said, promising more punch - and more resources - for a so far unconvincing military drive to end the separatist revolt.

"The Ukrainian soldier should no longer go naked, barefoot and hungry," the confectionery magnate added, tuning in to a populist touch honed on the barricades of last winter's street protests that brought down his predecessor, Viktor Yanukovich.

more...

http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL6N0OC3RP20140526?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0

[msongs]

1. tax write off candy bars for all the barefoot soldiers. that oughta do it :-) nt

[Igel]

3. It'll be interesting to see if he keeps one promise.

To sell off Roshen. That's his candy conglomerate.

[bemildred]

2. Poroshenko, Lavrov call for Russia-Ukraine talks to end crisis

Confectionery magnate Petro Poroshenko, the apparent winner of Ukraine’s presidential election, vowed Monday to swiftly begin talks with Moscow to bring an end to the violence in eastern Ukraine and restore unity in the bitterly divided country.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the Kremlin was “ready for dialogue” with Poroshenko but spurned suggestions that U.S. or European Union officials play a role in mediating the crisis.

The swift pledges from both former Soviet republics to bring an end to the violence that has taken more than 150 lives in recent weeks spurred hopes among the weary advocates of Ukrainian unity that the worst of the confrontation may be over.

Pro-Russia separatists still occupy key government buildings in a dozen towns and cities in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, which the militants proclaimed independent of Ukraine after dubious referendums on May 11.

http://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-ukraine-russia-poroshenko-20140526-story.html#navtype=outfit