KIEV, Ukraine — Ukraine must join the European Union and NATO to protect itself from Russia’s expansionist actions, Ukraine’s president said Saturday as he officially launched his re-election campaign. President Petro Poroshenko, who is seeking a second five-year term in the March 31 vote, accused Russia on Saturday of planning to meddle in the election. Opinion polls show Poroshenko trailing behind comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who plays the nation’s president in a hugely popular TV series, and former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. The renewal of economic growth will open opportunities to restore living standards.”Poroshenko has sought to shore up his sagging support by spearheading the creation of a new Ukrainian Orthodox Church independent from Moscow Patriarchy. Earlier this month, the newly elected head of the independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church officially assumed office in Kyiv, a month after the church severed its centuries-long ties with the Russian Orthodox Church.

Source: National Post February 09, 2019 14:03 UTC