A colorful reception for Ukraine's rebel leader Alexander Zacharchenko at a formal inauguration ceremony in Donetsk.br br Zacharchenko, once an electrician, now heads the Donetsk People's Republic ---a breakaway republic in Ukraine's pro-Russia rebel region---after an election widely condemned as illegal by the EU, the U.S. and the pro-western Ukrainian government of President Petro Poroshenko.br br Russia howewever, recognises the result, and Zakharchenko says he is ready to hold talks with Kiev.br br (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) HEAD OF SELF-PROCLAIMED DONETSK PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC, ALEXANDER ZAKHARCHENKO, SAYING:br br "You know, we are ready to meet anyone. The question goes to Poroshenko - is he ready for it? Or maybe he has to get ready? We will wait."br br But he may have to wait a long time. Poroshenko says the vote was a farce.