08 January 2010, 16:00
Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine: The Day of Pereyaslav Council shall be declared the Day of Ukrainian-Russian Friendship
Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, deeply respects Bohdan Khmelnytsky and believes that his deeds are still topical. "Bohdan Khmelnytsky acted in concord with the challenges of that time; it is a personality that unites Ukrainian nation; only such people can be regarded as Great Ukrainians", - the Head of the Ukrainian Parliament stated, commenting upon the Treaty between Bohdan Khmelnytsky and Russian Tsar Oleksiy that had been signed on 8 January. He also dwelled upon prospective establishment of relations between Ukraine and Russia.
On Friday, V.Lytvyn stayed with a working visit in Crimea. He reminded of that fact that famous Pereyaslav Council had been held 365 years ago. He believes that this day shall be proclaimed the Day of Ukrainian-Russian friendship. "It is necessary to restore historical inequity, - the Head of the Parliament stated. I have always insisted that Ukraine shall be consolidated on this basis".
According to V.Lytvyn, it is Crimea that "shall become a laboratory to test the approaches to the organization of positive relations between Ukraine and Russia".
"History, historical memory, people, faith, economic pragmatism and political approaches demand such a decision", - V.Lytvyn stated.
He is convinced that Ukraine is an advantage for Russia. He believes that "we shall interact, supplementing one another, to realize the huge potential of Ukraine and Russia".