Yanukovych sworn in as Ukraine president

KIEV, Ukraine, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Victor Yanukovych was sworn in Thursday as president of the Ukraine in Kiev, vowing to lead the country out of turmoil as a bridge between East and West.

The 59-year-old met briefly with outgoing pro-Western President Victor Yushchenko before addressing the Rada, or parliament, the Kiev Post reported.

"Being a bridge between East and West, an integral part of Europe and former Soviet Union at the same time, Ukraine will choose foreign policy that will allow our country to get the maximum out of development of equal and mutually beneficial relations with Russia, the European Union, the United States and other countries that influence development of the situation in the world," Yanukovych said.

Soon after the low-key ceremony, Yanukovych met briefly with U.S. National Security Advisor General James Jones, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported.

Earlier this week, it was announced Yanukovych would travel to Brussels next week to meet with European Union leaders and then go to Moscow early in March.

One of his first official acts was to sign a decree ordering a 20 percent cut in the number of employees in the presidential administration, Interfax reported.