Dear Fellow Countrymen!

Three years ago, millions of Ukrainians took to the streets to put an end to the Kremlin’s plan of destroying Ukraine and transforming it into the Little Russia within a larger empire.

Per aspera ad astra. Through hardships to the stars – goes a famous Latin phrase that we all know very well. However, no one could imagine what kind of trials were about to befall on us in November 2013; how high would be the price of freedom, dignity and independence.

We freed ourselves from the pro-Moscow regime just to realize that the whole state structure withered away – only a rotten steering wheel was left. Ukrainian state was threatened by an economic default that seemed imminent in February 2014. Our economy still did not recover from the 2008 financial recession. State funds were almost gone, while dozens of private banks tried to weasel money out of the population through fraudulent schemes before filing for bankruptcy.

Russia has completed this apocalyptic picture. It not only waged a war, but launched a fully-fledged trade blockade that cost our economy hundreds of billions of hryvnias. Let me remind you that we did not have a proper Army or intelligence services capable to counter the aggressor back then. It was our nadir from which we started to rise.

We were scared but kept moving forward. The bravest and the finest rushed to the frontline from the Maidan. The feats of volunteer battalions have entered Ukraine’s military lore forever. Only now, as Supreme Commander-in-Chief, I have the opportunity not to announce another wave of mobilization. The overwhelming majority of our military was put on the professional rails because of financial contribution of every taxpayer. Our soldiers are well-equipped and well-fed, professional and fight with modern weapons. We might not have the latest and most advanced military hardware but it is enough to contain the Russian aggression. The enemy walks in circles and engages in sabre-rattling but – I sincerely hope – will not dare to strike.

The former and current governments had to resort to unpopular and tough measures to avert economic default. The same steps, that our neighbors in Central and Eastern Europe went through decades ago.

The support of the International Monetary Fund has been and remains crucial for us. The IMF never provides a smooth remedy. I understand that having introduced the elements of the shock therapy we have unintentionally harmed millions of families – and I believe there is no dishonor in apologizing for this. But I am confident that a growing number of people will feel positive changes of our measures soon.

Our economy is far from being sound but we have managed to get off life-support showing signs of recovery. The economic downfall, which started one year prior to the Revolution of Dignity and war, lasted for 14 quarters. Now, Ukraine’s GDP has been showing steady growth over the last four quarters. 

The increase of business activity, measures to bring the economy out of shadows and the rising level of available public funds ensured the salary increase for teachers, doctors and other public employees. We lent a hand to those who need help the most, rising a minimal salary to 3,200 hryvnias. The worst in the social and economic areas is behind us. It is time to reap the first benefits of tough anti-crisis measures. They are not as large as we would hope for, but it is crucially important that the economy started to grow!

The foundation of our recovery is not yet strong enough. The process still can be halted or even reversed. There is no guarantee that Russia will not launch a full-scale invasion. The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine echoed these concerns by recording the highest number of ceasefire violations since the beginning of the year.

The enemy attacks Ukraine from the outside and tries to undermine it from within. The Kremlin’s goal is to foster perpetual internal destabilization, anarchy, warlordism and chaos, as well as organization of early parliamentary elections and strengthening of the pro-Russian factions. Next step: reversal of the pro-European course and complete U-turn of Ukraine’s foreign policy objectives. The end goal is to return Ukraine back to the Moscow’s orbit.

I have talked regularly about historic precedents of how Muscovy used democratic features in the neighboring states to its own advantage until those states were subjugated and annexed. I am confident this will not happen today. Ukrainians are a wise and politically educated nation that could not be easily tricked. Events of the last days confirm this statement.

Yet, I want to call upon politicians, journalists and experts not to degrade the whole situation to absurdity, stigmatizing every protester as a Russian agent. Let me use the title of the famous Ukrainian novel and ask “Do the oxen bellow, when their mangers are full?” Don’t you understand that there are legitimate reasons for the people’s grievances and that they have every legal right to express them? Granted, such activities should be planned without compromising the safety and security of the country and its citizens.

Every free citizen in a free Ukraine has the inherent right to protest. In order to provide such right the government has to go extra mile to guarantee political conditions and physical safety of everyone who sincerely wants to use the right to protest. We are also obligated, however, to protect those who are paid to protest.

Freedom and democracy were the two main achievements of the Revolution of Dignity. However, our desire for justice and prosperity remained unsatisfied. This is what we must focus on now. 

It is quite telling that the selection commission to the new Supreme Court has started forming on the eve of the Revolution of Dignity. This is the cornerstone of the judicial reform. It is hard to underestimate its value, as it is also important in our quest to punish the perpetrators of the Maidan shootings. Finally, the process started to move forward. The courts issued 25 rulings, finding 35 people guilty. Moreover, 138 lawsuits regarding complicity of 192 persons were transferred to the courts. The scope of the investigation includes former Berkut riot policemen, paid “titushki” thugs and some mid-level administrators. Unfortunately, the high-ranking officials accused of ordering the crimes fled to Russia, which induced them to order a mass murder. Russia does not give up its proxies, which leaves us with only one option – trial in absentia.

Dear Fellow Countrymen!

Freedom of speech as well as upholding other rights and civil liberties even during the wartime; new Patrol Police and independent National Anti-Corruption Bureau; transparent e-procurement system Prozorro that saved us billions of public funds; e-declaration of the high-ranking officials scrutinized by civil society – could we imagine all of this in the pre-Maidan Ukraine?

We have fulfilled all 144 points of the Visa Liberalization Plan and proved our capacity to implement reforms and advance our pro-European agenda no matter how hard they might be. I have made mistakes before and will not do it now. I will not name any dates. I know for sure, however, that we are going through the last pages of visa liberalization settlement between Ukraine and the European Union. A visa-free regime is advantageous to millions of Ukrainians, but it is symbolically important for every single one of us.

Based on my latest communication with the leaders of the European institutions and EU member states, I have an opportunity to foresee a compromise between Ukraine, the EU and the Netherlands. It is a likely scenario that we will finish the ratification of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement around the New Year’s Eve. The agreement has delivered positive results already. The share of foreign trade with the European Union has already surpassed 41 percent. Ukraine’s exports to the EU grew by 4.5% in the first eight months of 2016 against the background of its general decrease due to economic crisis.

Maidan and the Revolution of Dignity sealed Ukraine’s pro-European course. We are confident and resolute in following our path. We are following the right path to achieve the right goals.

The passage to the stars of Europe goes through hurdles just as any other. Per aspera ad astra. That is why it is so difficult sometimes. We make mistakes. Miscalculations in solving such complex tasks are inevitable.

Sometimes I ask myself: could I avoid making so many mistakes. My inner voice answers that only those who do nothing do not make any mistakes.

The current latitude allows us to see farther and notice many problems that remain today. I am not going to hide them from you or engage in wishful thinking.

I cannot help sharing my adamant belief that we have overcome the most difficult times. Everything will be fine. The main task is to avert the war, put an end to politicking that might undermine the results that we have achieved at such a dear price, and never allow them to destroy the arduous work of the government, civil society, volunteers and the whole of the nation.

Dear Ukrainians!

Happy Freedom and Dignity Day!

Glory to Ukraine!