The Legacy of World War II after 70 Years

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko delivered a speech at the Panel Debate «The Legacy of World War II after 70 Years» in Gdansk. The Debate was attended by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, President of the European Council Donald Tusk and leaders of 14 European states. In his address, the President called Ukraine "the new forefront of Europe", urged the Heads of State not to come to Moscow to "the parade of cynicism" on May 9 and offered to consider a new European Responsibility Charter.

"I am very honored to be here with you today and to speak on behalf of the people of Ukraine - a heroic nation that shares a glory in the Great Victory of humanity against the Nazism," the President emphasized.

The Head of State noted that the EU had risen from the wreckage of World War Two. "But the European integration is not yet completed. Before the EU's Eastern borders coincide with the frontiers of European values, the struggle will go on," the President of Ukraine said.

The President highlighted the necessity of understanding that such a tragedy could happen again. " Again we see an attempt to appease the aggressor. Now, while Ukraine fully abides by the letter and the spirit accorded in Minsk, the aggressor mounts its military strength in Donbas, planning the parade in 2 days, which is completely against all the principles of the Minsk agreements and which will involve Russian state-of-the-art weaponry and heavy artillery in a few hundred metres from the touchline," the President noted.

Petro Poroshenko noted that on May 8, for the first time the people of Ukraine would join the European tradition to commemorate the World War II victims. "While, the very next day in Moscow, under the pretext of the Great Victory, the aggressor's army will rattle its lethal might in front of the world," the President said. On behalf of the people of Ukraine, the President is grateful to many of the world leaders for declining participation in this parade of cynicism.

According to the President, today, the European Union faces the most difficult challenge in its history - a real test to its unity, solidarity and fundamental principles. "At this challenging time for all of us, it is crucial to keep our unity and commitment, just like 70 years ago. It is key to continue pressure on Russia until the Minsk Agreements are implemented in full," Petro Poroshenko emphasized.

"Today Ukraine is the new forefront of Europe. The post-war lesson of European integration will continue until Ukraine is integrated into the European family," the Head of State noted. He particularly emphasizes that Europe's future is challenged in Ukraine, where people fight to the death because they deeply believe in what Europe stands for: justice, solidarity, freedom and unity. "Giving up on Ukraine would mean giving up on them; and giving up on the memory of those who fought the past wars for the freedoms we enjoy today," the President stressed.

Noting that the lessons of the World War Two called for the creation of an international security order based on cooperation, responsibility, respect for sovereignty and human rights, the President emphasized: "I am proud that Ukraine is among UN co-founders, a co-author of the UN Charter and a member of the UN General Assembly since its inception". Petro Poroshenko called it "key" for the UN in the time of high need to extend its peacekeeping efforts to a country "that has deserved the world's recognition as a major contributor to peace".

"Any attempt to reshuffle the global security rules to overcome excessive problems could be unproductive and even dangerous," the President emphasized.

Petro Poroshenko is convinced that the major problem for the current security system is a lack of responsibility and coherence on the part of one of important international players.

"On the eve of the 40th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, a new European Responsibility Charter could be considered to reconfirm our previous international obligations and provide clear mechanisms to punish their violations; to reassert the responsibility and reliable partnership," Petro Poroshenko said.

On the eve of the Eastern Partnership Summit, the President has urged Europe "to respond to the Ukrainian people, who are still fighting against many evils, which have been left from the most tragic decades of the past". "And as our fight for European values goes on, my nation has already deserved to share and to explore the common European freedoms: the freedom of movement and the freedom of choice - the European choice," the President noted.

"We will win again as long as we are together!" the President concluded his address.

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