Poroshenko sworn in as Ukraine's president

Petro Poroshenko has taken the oath of office as Ukraine’s president, assuming leadership of a country mired in a violent uprising and economic troubles.

Mr Poroshenko has promised a comprehensive plan to put an end to the hostilities as soon as he takes office, including an amnesty for the rebels and an offer of early regional elections in the east.

He assumed power a day after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin at D-Day commemoration ceremonies in France.

Mr Poroshenko, who is a billionaire, was elected on May 25, three months after pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych fled the country in the wake of months of street protests.

Mr Putin has denied allegations by Kiev and the West that Russia has fomented the rebellion in the east, and he insisted on Friday that Mr Poroshenko needs to speak directly to representatives from the east.

Mr Poroshenko said in a statement that he expected the Russian parliament to rescind its decision granting Mr Putin permission to use the military on the territory of Ukraine and also wants a joint action plan on sealing the Russian-Ukrainian border.

In his inaugural address to the country's parliament, Mr Poroshenko promised amnesty ``for those who do not have blood on their hands''.

That appeared to apply both to separatist, pro-Russia insurgents in the country’s east and to nationalist groups that oppose them.

Mr Poroshenko also promised dialogue with citizens in the eastern regions, but excluded the insurgents.

“Talking to gangsters and killers is not our avenue,” he said.

Mr Poroshenko also said he will not accept Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

“Crimea is, was and will be Ukrainian. There will be no trade-off,” he said.

Russia annexed the territory in March after its troops took control of the Black Sea peninsula and Crimea held a secession referendum that Kiev and Western countries regard as illegitimate.