President Rivlin welcomed President Poroshenko, his wife, and all his delegation and spoke of the warm friendship between the two nations.  He said, "The relationship between our two nations has known high points and low points. Today we are facing the future but we cannot forget the past. Jews have lived in the Ukraine for over a thousand years. Some of the most important Jewish philosophy, culture, and literature were developed in your country. The Ukrainian Jewish community produced many great leaders; the Ba'al Shem Tov and his nephew, Rabbi Nachman from Uman, many great Zionist leaders such as Ze'ev Jabotinsky, Prime Ministers Levi Eshkol and Golda Meir, President Efraim Kazir and others, were all born in the Ukraine."

He added, "Israel is blessed with a large community of Jews from Ukraine, who bring a world of culture, and knowledge. They add richness to Israeli society, and contribute to the wonderful mosaic of cultures we have in Israel. They help to strengthen the ties between our two countries."

President Rivlin concluded by expressing his hope that the visit of the Ukrainian President would serve to help strengthen the ties between the two countries, and stressed, "The relationship between Israel and Ukraine is one of the strongest we have. We have trade agreements - which we are working to strengthen as we speak - and we have wonderful cultural and political ties. I am proud of many things we have developed in Israel - in agriculture, in hi-tech, in medicine, in water technologies - and I am sure we can work to increase our trade even further."

President Poroshenko thanked President Rivlin and said, "I am delighted to visit Israel, a strong, prosperous and democratic country. A very important partner and close friend of Ukraine. We feel here, very much at home, and I have no doubt that during your visit to the Ukraine, it will be the same friendly and hospitable atmosphere. I am aware of the difficulties the Israeli people have to face in order to get independence. I am grateful to the friendly people of Israel, represented by their President Reuven Rivlin, for the strong support and understanding that we have felt. International and internal security are the most important issues of today for both Ukraine and Israel. We must be united if we are to overcome these challenges."

During the evening, President Rivlin introduced the Ukrainian President to Ze'ev Jabotinksy's grandchildren - Ze'ev Jabotinsky, his wife Anat, and Karni Rubin, who were attending as guests of President Rivlin. President Poroshenko said it was a great honor to meet them and commented, "In light of our shared history, I am proud to say that I was also born in Odessa."