Self-proclaimed Donetsk republic names Aleksandr Borodai as leader
Self-declared republic of Donetsk appoints 'Mr Fixit' Aleksandr Borodai as its prime minister
A mysterious "consultant" from Moscow who helped steer through Russia's annexation of Crimea has been appointed prime minister of the self-declared Donetsk republic in eastern Ukraine.
"In essence, I am what can be called a professional consultant," Aleksandr Borodai, 41, said at his first press conference on Saturday in a luxury Donetsk hotel.
"I have resolved all kinds of complicated conflict situations," he said. "For that reason, personally speaking, my specialisation was what was needed here."
Describing his expertise is in ethnic conflict, Borodai was chosen as premier by the parliament of the Donetsk rebel republic on Thursday just days after it declared independence from Kiev following a disputed referendum and appealed to join Russia.
I am a Russian citizen but I am a private individual
His appointment will fuel claims that the Kremlin is pulling the strings behind the separatist uprising in east Ukraine but Borodai rejected any links to the Russian authorities.
"I am a Russian citizen but I am a private individual so you cannot accuse the Russian government of having a hand in what's going on in the Donetsk people's republic because of my presence here," he said.