Protests and gun battles rock Ukraine as President-elect promises unity

Protests and explosions rocked the separatist eastern region of Ukraine as the state security fought against radicals for control of a major airport, just moments after the new President-elect declared that he would unite the country following serious mutiny.

The severe conflict between the separatists and the military at the Donetsk airport reportedly showed 'hardening of will' between the government and the insurgents.

The separatists implored support from Moscow as they reportedly believe that their cause is being endangered by domestic partition,

Ukraine's President-elect Petro Poroshenko vowed to bring an end to the violence in the nation and said that since Russia is Ukraine's biggest neighbor, an attempt to bring stability and peace in the country will not be possible without Russia's participation.

He also shared his plans of launching a rapid military operation and referred to the separatists as 'Somali pirates'.

According to the Washington Post, Russian officials said that President Vladimir Putin was ready to hold talks with Poroshenko, signaling a more conciliatory tone after months of finger pointing between Kiev and Moscow amid a conflict that has left Russia's relationship with the United States and Europe at its lowest point since the Cold War.

The report added that Ukrainians who voted for Poroshenko in more stable regions of the country expressed hope that his experience and the lesser nature of his corruption, compared with that of his peers, would give him an edge in resolving the nation's conflict.