Poroshenko on McCain: A great friend of Ukraine has died
President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko expressed his condolences to the family and friends of the American Republican Senator John McCain, who died on Saturday, at the age of 82.
“This is sad news for the whole Ukrainian nation, the death of a great friend of Ukraine, Senator John McCain. We will never forget his invaluable contribution to the development of democracy and freedom in Ukraine, as well as the support of our government,” wrote Poroshenko on his Facebook page.
The President noted that the Republican senator was with the Ukrainians on the Maidan and motivated the Ukrainian military in the Donbas.
“The memory of John McCain will forever remain in our hearts. Our condolences to his family and the American people. We mourn together with you…” wrote the Ukrainian leader in his message.
Poroshenko also published a photo of himself with McCain during McCain's visits to Ukraine.
John McCain suffered from an aggressive form of brain cancer. Information about his cancer diagnosis first appeared in the American press in the summer of 2017. For some time after this, John McCain continued to be active in his political work in the Senate Committee on Armed Services.
John McCain grew up in a family with several generations in the military. His grandfather and father were admirals in the military fleet. McCain was a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War. His plane was shot down, after which he spent five years in captivity, where he was tortured.
In 2008, he ran for the presidency of the United States but lost to Barack Obama.
The senator was an active supporter of strict sanctions against Putin’s regime. In the final months of his life, McCain also often criticized US President Donald Trump.