Dear Ukrainians,
It is to the day five years ago that the Revolution of Dignity began. This was the response of the Ukrainian people to the attempt of the then pro-Russian regime of Yanukovych to return Ukraine to colonial dependence on Russia.
We, Ukrainians, did not allow them to do this. We went out to the Maidan and defended the freedom and dignity of Ukraine. With the highest price – their own lives - of the best sons and daughters of the Ukrainian people. And all through these years at war with the Russian invader we have been asserting our choice.
Our Parliament of current convocation has legislated Ukraine's aspirations for membership in NATO and the EU, having instituted them as state foreign policy priorities. I am convinced that the next landmark decision of the Parliament will be confirmation of Ukraine's membership in the EU and NATO constitutionally. And I'm sure we shall do so to forestall any change in foreign policy of the state whosoever comes to power, so that the achievements of the Revolution of Dignity have the highest and utmost protection.
Over the barricades of the Maidan, flags of Ukraine and the European Union fluttered up side by side. For good and all have our people chosen the direction of their future development - being in the family of free peoples of the world.
In the cold days of November 2013, the irreversible mental de-occupation of Ukraine commenced – that was our final liberation and definitive break with the dependent past. Since then, Ukrainians have never allowed anyone to humiliate themselves. And this is - for ever, for evermore, for good!
In the course of the Dignity Revolution, we witnessed the birth of new Ukrainian citizens. Free, conscious and courageous patriots, people of different professions, occupations, origins and ages, Ukrainians who spoke different languages, went out into the streets and, united, created the space of freedom, dignity and justice on the Maidan - which has become the symbol of a new European country.
We also saw the birth of a new all-Ukrainian phenomenon - volunteering, which became the footing for organization of the Maidan. Self-sacrifice and mutual support are the main features of the latest Ukrainian volunteering, out of which the Maidan Self-Defense was born as well as the first volunteer battalions that later on saved our country in the spring and summer of 2014, having broken Putin’s intents to occupy the whole of Ukraine.
Eternal glory and profound bow to the fallen Heroes of Heavenly Hundred and Ukrainian soldiers who have laid down their lives for Ukraine's independence in the war with the Russian aggressor! Let their self-sacrifice and boundless love to their people and their homeland be the polar life-commandment for us.
Glory to Ukraine!
Glory to the Heroes!