In his address to the audience, Valeriy Chaly stressed that the Soviet style neglect of the most precious – human life – had been inherited by the leadership of the Russian Federation that had waged military aggression against Ukraine. However, the ordeal made our country stronger. Ukraine is committed to reforms and peaceful settlement on terms of Russia’s full compliance with its obligations, including the restoration of Ukraine’s full control of its eastern border and release of all Ukrainian citizens detained by Russia illegally, as Nadiya Savchenko.

The Ambassador expressed gratitude to the US and, in particular, to the Ukrainian American community for the support and solidarity with Ukraine and highlighted the importance of the international unity in counteracting aggressor.

He also noted that, unlike USSR, Ukraine treated its nuclear power plants responsibly and had claimed that at recent Nuclear Security Summit, along with the demand for improved security guarantees for the countries that did not have nuclear arsenal.

During the memorial event in Philadelphia, the pray for Ukraine was led by the Archbishop of Philadelphia for Ukrainians, Metropolitan of Ukrainian Catholics in the US Most Reverend Stephan Soroka and Pastor of Ukrainian Baptist Church Sergio Savchuk.