Presidents of Russia, Moldova and Serbia to celebrate historic date in Ukraine

Presidents of Russia, Moldova and Serbia are expected to arrive in Kiev for the celebrations of the 1025th anniversary since the adoption of Eastern Orthodox Christianity by the medieval duchy of Kievan Rus, the Director of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry’s information department, Yevgeny Perebeinos told a news briefing Tuesday. “We’ve received confirmations of participation of the Presidents of Russia, Moldova and Serbia in these festivities,” he said. “The heads of nine national Orthodox Churches and delegations of another six Churches will also come.” Along with it, “the possibility of participation of the heads of state of some other countries is still being considered,” Perebeinos said. Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovich said earlier the 1,025th anniversary since the adoption of Christianity by Kievan Rus, which will be marked in Ukraine July 27 and July 28, will become a feast of this country’s European identity. Russian President’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov said earlier that Putin plans will visit Kiev before the end of this month. “It’s true that he is planning this visit,” he said. Putin is expected to take part in the official and public functions that have been entered in the itinerary of the jubilee.