Could Freed Pilot Be Ukraine's Next President?

Pilot Nadezhda Savchenko has told Ukrainians she will become the country's next president if that's what they want her to do.

The 35-year-old was captured in eastern Ukraine by Russian-backed separatists two years ago while serving in a volunteer Ukrainian battalion.

She reappeared in Russian custody, with the Russians saying she had entered the country illegally but Ms Savchenko was adamant she had been kidnapped and brought in against her will.

In March, she was convicted of acting as a spotter for mortar fire that killed two Russian journalists and was jailed for 22 years.

But she was released on Wednesday and traded for two Russian military men convicted in Ukraine, receiving a rapturous welcome in Kiev from Ukrainians proud of the defiance she showed while on trial in Russia.

On Friday she held a news conference where she told reporters she wanted to go back to her job as a military pilot.

But she also said she was willing to launch a political career if it would help Ukraine escape its separatist war and political and economic problems.

She said: "Ukrainians, if you need me to become president, then I will become president.

"I don't completely believe that our people won't vote for buckwheat (empty election promises from candidates).

"Honestly I wouldn't say I want (the presidency) but I'll do everything that is needed (for Ukraine), and I'll go this way and will work with dedication if that's what people need."

At her press conference, Ms Savchenko called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "d***head" and said Crimea could be returned to Ukraine if a Third World War broke out.

While she was in jail, Ms Savchenko was named a lawmaker in what is now the main opposition party.

And she has also slammed a key part of current president Petro Poroshenko's ceasefire deal granting pro-Russian separatists autonomy in eastern Ukraine.

Her celebrity profile in Ukraine may make politics difficult for Mr Poroshenko.

However, one Ukrainian politician from Mr Poroshenko's party said Ms Savchenko's main threat would be to opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko, who currently leads opinion polls.

"No one knows to what direction she will move. Ms Tymoshenko herself would like to get rid of her," the lawmaker told Reuters.

A spokesman for the opposition leader said: "(Savchenko) is a strong person and in the future could become a strong politician."

Analyst Volodymyr Fesenko added: "In the short term there is no threat for Poroshenko and Tymoshenko.

"But if there's a presidential election this autumn or in early 2017 - she could be one of the potential candidates and even could very likely win this election.

"No one knows which way it will go and therefore everyone is afraid - Poroshenko, Tymoshenko and others.

"Savchenko is the choice for many. She is militant patriot."