Donetsk, Nov 20 - DAN. Donetsk People’s Republic Head Denis Pushilin, in his first statement as new leader of the Republic, said that further integration between Donbass and Russia was inevitable.

“In the November 11 display of solidarity, residents showed the whole world their wish for and commitment to the course towards sharing the future with Russia,” Pushilin said. “It is our choice and we won’t swerve.”

“I deem it my duty to consolidate the Donbass people around the desired objective: to live with Russia as one family,” he said after the inauguration ceremony.

He thanked the Republic’s residents for their confidence in him. “I pledge to apply my best efforts and competencies, all my time and opportunities to meet the expectations. Together, we’ll make the life of every citizen better,” the DPR leader said.

The inauguration ceremony took place in Donetsk earlier on Tuesday. Denis Pushilin took oath of loyalty to the DPR people in the presence of nearly 1,000 guests at the Donetsk State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre.*jk