Turchynov: Human life is the highest value

Human life is and always remains the highest value for Ukrainians.

Ukraine's acting president and Verkhovna Rada chairman, Oleksandr Turchynov, said this in his address due to the Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation, to be marked on May 8-9, the press service of the acting head of state has reported.

"Human life is and will remain the highest value for Ukrainians. Maintaining peace is our sacred duty to the present and future generations, to all victims of the last war. And the whole civilized world is united with us here," he said.

Turchynov recalled that about 60 million people were killed during World War II. "The Ukrainian people who found themselves in the center of a terrible tragedy paid an especially high price for their freedom. Virtually every family sustained irreparable losses," he said.

"So having gone through the war years and knowing the true value of peace, the Ukrainians have always wanted good relations with all other peoples. Our state is making successive steps regarding partnership, cooperation, full-scale participation in international programs on security and stability on the planet," Turchynov said.

The United Nations declared May 8 and 9 the Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War.