Russia quickly welcomed the offer from 48-year-old chocolate magnate Petro Poroshenko, raising hopes that his election will indeed ease the protracted crisis that has fuelled tensions unseen since the end of the Cold War.
International observers, meanwhile hailed Ukraine's presidential vote as a "genuine election," saying it was held freely and fairly.
Poroshenko, known for his pragmatism, supports building strong ties with Europe but also has stressed the importance of mending relations with Moscow. Upon claiming victory in yesterday's vote, he said his first step as president would be to visit the Donbass eastern industrial region, where pro-Russia separatists have seized government buildings, declared independence and battled government troops in weeks of fighting.
"The anti-terrorist operation cannot and should not last two or three months," he said. "It should and will last hours."
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The military operation has caused civilian deaths and destroyed property angering many eastern residents while still failing to crush the rebellion.
The president-elect also had harsh words for the pro-Russia gunmen, comparing them to Somalia pirates.
"Their goal is to turn Donbass into a Somalia where they would rule with the power of machine guns. L will never allow that to happen on the territory of Ukraine," Poroshenko said, adding that he hoped Russia would support his efforts to stabilise the east.