KIEV, December 06. /ITAR-TASS/. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich offered condolences to South African President Jacob Zuma over the death of leader of the movement against the Apartheid regime and first black South African President Nelson Mandela on Friday.

“With a deep sorrow Ukraine has taken the news about the death of the former South African president, a remarkable politician and the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Nelson Mandela,” the Ukrainian president said in a telegram of condolence. “For many generations he set an example of strong spirit, views of principle and the firmness of character,” the telegram reads.

“Ukraine pays a tribute of respect to a great son of the African continent that had always adhered to humanistic ideals, high spiritual values, the principles of democracy and justice,” Yanukovich said in the telegram. “Sharing the feelings of sorrow over an irreparable loss, I ask to convey sincere condolences and the words of support to the near and dear of Nelson Mandela and the whole nation of South Africa,” the Ukrainian president said.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela died at the age of 95 years on Thursday. In the last years of his life he suffered from a long and heavy disease. He has made his last public appearance at the FIFA World Cup in the Republic of South Africa in 2010.