Ukraine News One: Poroshenko inspects honour guard on Kyiv’s St. Sophia Square (VIDEO)

Supporters of the new leader braved the blazing sunshine to catch a glimpse of the president as he inspected an honour guard and watched a military parade, accompanied by a military band. The square in front of St. Sophia’s Cathedral was decked out with blue and yellow national flags and a red carpet rolled out for the ceremony. 

Poroshenko walked along the lines of soldiers, and sang the national anthem with them before walking into the cathedral as bells rang out. Earlier in the day, Poroshenko delivered his key inaugural speech in parliament, where he vowed Ukraine would never give up Crimea and would not compromise on its course towards closer ties with Europe, spelling out a combative and defiant message to Russia.