Ukraine's new president was born and raised in southern Ukraine and Moldova. He has a background in business as an entrepreneur in industries like chocolate, vehicles, TV, and shipbuilding. Politically, he has been active for 15 years in different parties and was elected with promises of peace, freedom, and closer ties to Europe. As president, he aims to fully implement Ukraine's Association Agreement with the EU and strengthen security cooperation while reducing military and cultural ties with Russia. Long-term, he hopes Ukraine will one day join the EU and NATO or engage in other security frameworks with Europe while encouraging ethnic Russians to repatriate to Russia.