Dear Vladimir!

As promised during the President’s visit to Odessa earlier this year, he was pleased to present the impressive Ukrainian mace to Council with a short speech and found it very useful in controlling a well attended, lively, and hard working meeting.

Council expressed its concern over the recent political events in the Ukraine and directed me to send a message to our Ukrainian Branch expressing our hope that the national situation is resolved peacefully through the application of democratic principles. Out thoughts are with our Ukrainian members and the Ukrainian people. Best wishes.