U.S. Secretary of state John Kerry paid homage to Ukraine on the upcoming independence Day (August 24). "The U.S. is a reliable partner And friend of Ukraine since, as your blessed Parliament the Act of independence on this day in 1991," - said in greeting the chief of U.S. diplomacy, released by the press service of the state Department. According to his statement, In the course of 2 decades, Washington has supported the efforts of Ukrainians to create a "strong, stable And democratic country," reports the news Agency." Despite the serious challenges that You have achieved significant progress towards this goal. You have stood up against the tyrannical regime, corrupt bureaucracy And aggressive neighbor, And all this for free, democratic And prosperous future, " said Kerry. He added that North America support the desire of Ukraine to conduct internal reforms." I am confident that the friendship between our 2 countries will continue to grow, " continued the Secretary of state. according to his statement, the U.S. And Ukraine together to achieve an end " to the conflict And bloodshed (in the South-East of the country) through the full implementation of the Minsk agreements "." And together we will ensure that Ukraine will have the opportunity besprepjatstvenno to continue the important work of strengthening its political, economic And cultural institutions, " Kerry finished. At the weekend Ukraine will start the celebrations, devoted to the independence Day of the Republic. August 23 at St. Sophia square will take place the solemn ceremony of raising the flag of Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko. In addition, within the Park of Eternal Glory will be a ceremony of burial of the remains of the soldier, who was killed in the Donbass, And the reburial of the remains of the soldier of WWII. But on 24 August, the Ukrainian leader will not be present at a gala Banquet in honor of independence Day √ he is expected to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel And French President Francois Hollande in Berlin, to whom Poroshenko is obliged to report on the performance of the Kiev, the Minsk agreements.