On the occasion of the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation, President Petro Poroshenko and his wife Maryna attended the concert "Voice of Heroes" and the memorial and artistic event "The First Minute of Peace" that took place at the memorial complex "The National Museum of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945". Veterans of the Second World War, including the Red Army and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, as well as participants of the ATO were invited to the events.

At the beginning of the speech the President drew attention to the monument "Mother Motherland" adorned with a wreath of red poppies by famous roofer Mustang.

He stressed that the red and black poppies, which are an international symbol of remembrance of those killed in wars, became a symbol of Ukrainian remembrance as well. "Red and black poppies are at the heart of each of us here. Tomorrow, our country will traditionally celebrate the Day of Victory over Nazism, because we are a victorious nation," he said.

The President emphasizes that Ukraine celebrates the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation in the European format for the first time and "is finally looking at its history with its own eyes, not through the glasses of Moscow".

Petro Poroshenko emphasized that in the course of 6 long years of World War II, hundreds of millions of people all over the world dreamed of the first minute of peace, which happened 70 years ago, on May 8. "We dream of such a minute as well. It will come. Peace will return to Ukraine. I promise to do everything possible for that. And I will do impossible as well. I have no doubt that we will win, for we are defending our native Ukrainian land. Donbas and Crimea will be liberated from occupants," the Head of State noted.

The President emphasized that nobody had a right to monopolize Victory over Nazism and use it for its imperial policy, especially in relation to Ukraine. "The victory of 1945 is a joint achievement of all progressive humanity, Anti-Hitler coalition and nations of the former Soviet Union," he said.

At 23:01 "the first minute of peace" was announced and the bowl of eternal fire was lit. The participants paid tribute to the fallen with a moment of silence. Then balloons with LEDs "Poppies of Remembrance" were launched to the sky and the Anthem of the EU "Ode to Joy" was performed.