Ukraine’s ex-presidents attend solemn meeting of Verkhovna Rada. Photos

Five former Ukrainian presidents were present at the solemn meeting of the Verkhovna Rada of the 9th convocation.

The inaugural session of the new parliament was opened by Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of the previous convocation, Andriy Parubiy, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

Those present in the parliament’s session hall sang the National Anthem of Ukraine.

Parubiy then called on commemorating the memory of fallen defenders of Ukraine. "We mournfully remember our defenders, who died for Ukraine's independence and sovereignty," he said.

The newly elected deputies observed a moment of silence to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers.

The VR solemn meeting was attended by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as by ex-Presidents Leonid Kravchuk, Leonid Kuchma, Viktor Yushchenko and Petro Poroshenko.

Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman and government officials, religious leaders and others were also present.

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