Ukraine's new president: 'Crimea was, is and will be Ukrainian soil'

Carsten Koall/Getty Images

Ukraine's new president: 'Crimea was, is and will be Ukrainian soil'
(Image credit: Carsten Koall/Getty Images)

Petro Poroshenko, one of the world's richest men, added "Ukrainian president" to his list of credentials this morning, reports CNN.

The man who made billions as a chocolate maker took the oath of office in front of Vice President Joe Biden and several European presidents, and his inaugural speech was one which delivered shades of both diplomacy and strength.

"I don't want war. I don't want revenge," Poroshenko said. But, "who comes with the sword will fall from the sword."

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Promising a tough stance against Russian encroachment and separatist militants in Eastern Ukraine, Poroshenko said, "No one will protect us, if we do not learn to protect ourselves," and he added, "talking to gangsters and to killers is not our avenue."

As to Crimea, the country's disputed territory which was annexed earlier this spring by Russia, Poroshenko said that the fight is not yet over.

"Crimea was, is and will be Ukrainian soil," he said.

Watch more of Poroshenko's speech, below. --Sarah Eberspacher

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Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.