He was presented with an Essendon jumper in Ukraine last month by Stefan Romaniw (pictured) who is the chairman of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO).

Both were in Kirovograd, Ukraine as part of the President’s National Council on the commemoration of the anniversary of the 1932-33 famine in which 7-10 million people perished.

The President received the number 33 jumper in remembrance of the famine.

President Yushchenko - who is planning to visit Australia later this year - was grateful for the jumper and is keen to see his new team play.

Mr Romaniw also provided Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, Head of the Ukraine Security Service, with an Essendon scarf and visited Ukraine Australia House (UAH) in Kyiv where Managing Director, Halyna Lemets, offered to house information on AFL Football and Essendon which may be of interest to Australian expats.

He also plans to approach the AFL about sending DVD’s of games and providing general information about the sport to UAH.

Mr Romaniw said the AFUO will also consider approaching AFL Legend Alex Jesaulenko - who has a Ukrainian background - to become involved in promoting Australian Rules Football in Ukraine.