Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has expressed his condolences to U.S. President Barack Obama over the destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy, which hit the East Coast of the United States.

"On behalf of the Ukrainian people and on my own behalf, I am asking you, Mister President, to pass my sincere condolences to the injured families, and words of support to the whole of the American people," reads the president's statement posted on his Web site on Thursday.

Yanukovych added that "as a friend and a strategic partner of the United States, Ukraine is ready to provide its assistance in the cleanup following the natural disaster."

As reported, Sandy slammed into the northeast coast of the country on Tuesday's night. According to the latest data, the death toll from the hurricane is 72.