Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Kyiv for swearing in of Ukrainian president

KYIV, Ukraine – Prime Minister Stephen Harper is in Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv today for the swearing in of the country’s new president elect.

Thousands are expected to gather in Kyiv’s main streets as candy billionaire Petro Poroshenko takes the oath of office.

Fighting is still raging in eastern Ukraine between government forces and Russian separatists. But there is optimism today’s events may lead to a breakthrough in Ukraine’s months long crisis with Russia.

Poroshenko met Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin in France at the Normandy invasion ceremonies, sparking optimism about progress towards a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

Talks between Russia and Ukraine could start as early as Sunday towards resolving the crisis.

Harper and his Western Allies have denounced Russia’s annexation of Crimea as unlawful and have called for an end to Putin’s provocations in eastern Ukraine.