Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has praised Leonid Kravchuk, Ukraine’s former leader who died at 88 on Tuesday, as a man who “always stayed with Ukraine”.

In his nightly television address, Zelensky said that Kravchuk – the first president of an independent, post-Soviet Ukraine between 1991-94 – “valued life, and every minute of it”.

“As a child, he survived World War Two, survived the occupation,” Zelensky said. “[He] knew what freedom costs”.

“With all his heart he wanted peace for Ukraine,” Zelensky added. “I’m sure we will implement it. We will achieve our victory and our peace.”