The President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and Prime Minister of Australia Tony Abbott attended an ecumenical service in Melbourne at St. Peter's and Paul's Cathedral on Thursday, Dec. 11, to honor the 300 victims of the MH17 disaster, the heroes of the Heavenly Hundred, and the ATO soldiers who have sacrificed their lives in battle for the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Poroshenko offered his condolences the families of 38 Australian killed in the MH17 disaster.
“Ukraine is doing its best to ensure the investigation into the plane crash will be independent, open and efficient,” the president said, adding that those responsible for the catastrophe must be brought to justice.
The Ukrainian and Australian leaders were met by representatives of the Ukrainian community in Australia near the cathedral.
“Your visit is a symbol of unity, support and trust between the two countries. The Ukrainian diaspora is an integral part of the Ukrainian people,” the Head of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations Stefan Romanov told the president:
Poroshenko expressed his gratitude to the almost 40 thousand Ukrainians living in Australia for their continued interest in the situation in Ukraine, and for their active support during the G20 meeting, where the President said that Ukrainian Australians demonstrated their power. “Ukraine is always in your hearts. I bow to and respect the Ukrainians living in Australia,” the president said.
Poroshenko noted that Ukraine was going through the most difficult period in its history. “Ukrainians throughout the entire world are united as never before. Your contribution is extremely important to the victory of Ukraine,” the President said.
In turn, Abbott said that if the freedom of one country is restricted, then the freedom of the entire world is restricted.
