First Ukrainian President dies

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed condolences on hearing of the death of former President Kravchuk and called Mr Kravchuk a historical figure.

Mr. Zelensky said that Kravchuk’s ability to communicate with the Ukrainian people was especially important in “difficult times, crisis, when the future of the whole country may depend on the courage of one person”. .

According to the incumbent Ukrainian president, having experienced World War II, Mr. Kravchuk understands the price of freedom and always wants peace for Ukraine.

“I am sure that we will achieve this. We will win and be at peace,” added Mr. Zelensky.

Zelensky confirmed that former Ukrainian President Kravchuk had died on May 10, but did not give further details. The first Ukrainian president was in poor health and had heart surgery last year.

Mr. Kravchuk was president of Ukraine from 1991 to 1994. As president, Mr. Kravchuk agreed to transfer the remaining Soviet nuclear weapons on Ukrainian territory to Ukraine. Russia control.

In 2020, he returned to politics in the contact group to negotiate an agreement for the conflict in eastern Ukraine, where separatist forces have been fighting Kiev forces since 2014.

Former President Kravchuk died a week after the death of the first president of post-Soviet Belarus Stanislav Shushkevich. Stanislav Shushkevich died at the age of 87 after being treated for COVID-19.