Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear friends,
It is an honor for me to open
the 12th Yalta European Strategy meeting and a pleasure to see a lot of friends
and partners in this hall.
We have gathered today to look
at how new Ukraine’s fate affects Europe and the world.
Back in 2010, one of my dear
friends, Jose Manuel Barroso, uttered very important words in his State of the
Union speech as the President of the European Commission. He said addressing
all Europe: “We will only succeed if, whether acting nationally, regionally or
locally, we think European”.
In winter 2013-2014,
Ukrainians were thinking European and rose up against tyranny and oppression.
They opted for the European
values – democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights and dignity, –
which they shared mentally and belonged to historically.
Let me remind you that the EU
flag was sprinkled with Ukrainian blood.
This is how new Ukraine was
born.
Yet, some thought it
differently. Russia, which had failed to become an attractive soft power,
unleashed its military power to restrain Ukraine’s quest for modernization and
European integration.
By the aggression against
sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, Russia has
actually challenged the entire democratic world.
Ukraine and its allies are
preventing Russia from growing in its aggression and stretching its deadly
neo-imperial ambitions further.
I think it is clear that an
independent democratic Ukraine anchored into the system of European values is a
cornerstone to security and stability in Europe and in the whole world.
Once this cornerstone is
undermined, the European and global security foundations will be shattered.
Three days ago, also
delivering his State of the Union speech President of the European Commission
Jean-Claude Juncker said: “If the European Union wants to promote a more
peaceful world, it needs more Europe and more Union in its foreign policy and
this is most urgent towards Ukraine”.
This is very promising that
Europe keeps thinking European.
Dear friends,
Last year, I spoke at this
Forum a week after the truce was concluded in Minsk.
I shared with the audience
that I felt much relief not receiving daily heart-breaking news from the
frontline about losses of lives.
Unfortunately, it was only a
short respite.
Russia spiraled violence to
get its way.
However, we have been thinking
and acting European.
I have promised that I will
bring peace and prosperity to Ukraine and I do my best to keep my word.
Whatever the price I have to
pay!
The recent Normandy talks two
days ago strengthened my feeling of cautious optimism. The ceasefire is in
place for almost two weeks and not a dream anymore.
In spite of overwhelming military
advantage of the Russian army and enormous military budget, which is more than
30 times bigger than Ukrainian one, Ukrainian heroes are keeping defense in the
Donbas and making Russia pay just price for escalation of the conflict.
It took us only a year to
build one of the strongest and bravest army on the continent. Next year we will
increase military budget to counter more effectively and resolutely external
threats.
However, its sole goal will be
to protect Ukraine from any sort of aggression.
Let me remind you that during
late spring-early summer months almost all geopolitical and military experts
were predicting in unison that in July-August the whole world could have
witnessed another bloody large-scale offence of the Russian Armed Forces against
Ukraine.
Synergy of heroism of
Ukrainian soldiers, officers and generals as well as volunteers with tireless
diplomatic efforts to get support of our European and Transatlantic partners
has made it possible to avert the most apocalyptic scenarios.
However, the drama is still
far from being over as the Russian aggressor is still standing with dozens of
thousands troops and countless heavy weapons, tanks, artillery, multiple rocket
launcher systems, missiles and other military equipment not only at our gates
but also on our soil.
Nevertheless, I understand
that the political and diplomatic settlement is unfortunately the only possible
way out.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Lack of early and
proportionate response leads to ever more aggravated consequences.
Illegal annexation by Russia
of the Crimea without immediate strong response from the international
community encouraged Kremlin to go further.
These days «green men» are
landing in hundreds in Syria, inspiring more violence in the Middle East and
provoking ever growing exodus of people, mostly to the EU.
The Crimea has become the
military operation base for Russia to further destabilize the Black Sea and the
Mediterranean in global confrontation with the West.
Could you imagine that only
two years ago all of us had a brilliant meeting in Yalta?
I dream that in a very short
period of time all of us can return there. It is our purpose.
Dear friends,
Now Ukraine is changing
Europe, since Russian aggression against a new Ukraine has become a test for
the Europeans – a test for solidarity, a test for unity, a test for freedom and
democracy, adherence to common values and principles.
To pass this test we have to
translate our common thinking into our common acting.
We must sharpen all
instruments at our disposal to compel Russia to abandon its power politics
games and come back to the politics of respecting the law.
First, we must make clear that
not only current sanctions will stay in place as long as Russia occupies the
Crimea and fuels turmoil in the Donbas but also enhanced restrictive measures
will follow if Russia further obstructs the settlement process.
We must drive Russia to follow
the logic of the Minsk agreements.
We have to prevent fake
elections in Donbas, as it will ruin the Minsk process once again.
And it can happen on October
18 and November 1. The same way like last year, when Russia “killed” the first
Minsk process providing illegal fake elections on November 2 last year.
We must ensure that Ukrainian
citizens held captives in cellars in Donbas and in cells in Russia, including
Nadia Savchenko and Oleh Sentsov be set free as soon as possible.
Second, it is high time to
discuss the possibility to deploy an operation in Donbas to support due
implementation of the Minsk Agreements. It can help us achieve two key
objectives for restoring peace in Donetsk and Luhansk regions: full withdrawal
of the occupation forces of Russia from the Ukrainian territory and closing the
Ukrainian-Russian border. These are two main preconditions for peace and
stability in the Donbas. We don’t have any civil war, we don’t have any inside
conflict. It is very simple. We have an aggression against Ukraine and
occupation of the independent Ukrainian state. The aggressor is Russia. It is
absolutely clear.
Third, it is also high time to
join our efforts towards amending institutions and instruments that serve
principles and norms of the international law, such as in particular a veto
power in the UN Security Council. The Russian aggression against Ukraine has
showed vividly their flaws. I hope that we will start a relevant discussion
during the upcoming 70th session of the UN General Assembly, because Russian
aggression against Ukraine and Russian occupation of Crimea completely ruined
the postwar security system and made it ineffective.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The last year has been
incredibly tough.
Resisting Russian aggression,
we have been undertaking tireless efforts to reform Ukraine.
Decades of preceding
stagnation and lack of reforms have also worked against us.
However, Ukraine showed all
strength and determination to turn away the defeat.
We took this hardest challenge
as an opportunity. An opportunity to jumpstart the transformation of the
country. To eliminate our “skeletons in the closet” such as corruption.
To change from inside.
The ruling coalition assumed a
tremendously difficult job.
The Ukrainian people are
thirsty for reforms and will not forgive even a minimal delay.
The reforms needed are
systemic and deep.
As such, they are enormously
hurting while their effect does not come in one day.
However, Ukraine remains
committed to further progress in reforms. We understand that in the face of
immense challenges the recipe for our success is:
unity within,
honesty,
responsibility,
consistency,
accountability to the people,
and reliability regarding our
partners.
I have no doubt that
Ukraine-EU Association Agreement, which is a comprehensive roadmap for our
domestic reforms, will enter into force very soon, and a Deep and Comprehensive
Free Trade Area part will take effect precisely on January 1, 2016.
Russia’s coward attempts to
impede this historic event will fail.
It is impossible to stop
Ukraine’s resolute drive towards the European home.
The decentralization has
become the most known and visible recent reform in Ukraine.
The principle of transfer of
power from the capital to the local authorities is one of the features of the
European democracies.
Its effective implementation
will lead to significant boost in welfare of the Ukrainian communities and
regions, as well as improvement of local self-governance rising up
possibilities and rising up responsibilities.
Under current challenges,
decentralization is a strong safeguard against any attempts, including from
outside, to impose the dangerous ideas of federalization and a way to prevent
the spiral of separatism in Ukraine.
With establishing a National
Anti-corruption Bureau and a National Agency for Corruption Prevention we have
set a proper institutional background for fighting corruption efficiently.
These bodies will get operational in the nearest future and be equipped with
adequate tools provided by the legislation.
For the first time in the
modern history, the Ukrainian people have given their substantial support to
the new patrol police. Comprehensive reform of other law enforcement agencies,
like the Prosecutor General Office and security sector, is unstoppable.
In this regard, we highly
appreciate significant support of our European, American and other
international partners.
Equally, I am satisfied that
our efforts got translated into critically important assistance that we have
received from the IMF and other financial institutions.
Let me remind the words of the
IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde during her recent visit to Kyiv: “Ukraine
has surprised the world! Surprised by what it managed to achieve in such a
short period of time: This is not just something, this is impressive!"
This is also a message for the
internal politicians who are trying to bring the country into disappointment
and depression. We have problems, but we must be united to solve them.
This is a clear indication
that we are on the right track.
As President, I will do my
best to maintain the vector and pace of reforms.
We also do our best to help
European political culture to flourish in Ukraine.
Political ambitions sometimes
go off scale while tough reforms could tempt to enhance political rankings with
speculations.
On its part, Russia has
changed the tactics and recently increased efforts to destabilize Ukraine from
within.
Unfortunately, political
forces in Ukraine keep falling into this trap.
However, our political
condominium is getting more mature.
Despite recent moves, the
pro-European coalition has to keep reforming the country.
We will prove that we have
become Statesmen rather than remained mere Politicians.
I hope that democratic
political forces in Ukraine will not only tell their voters what they do and
promise what they want to do for them. But they will also consistently work to
secure a future for generations to come.
This will mean thinking and
acting European.
I rely that this spirit will
reign during the upcoming local elections.
What I can be sure already is
that they will be free and fair.
If there is an example of how
democratic elections should be, than it is exactly about this coming vote.
Two days ago, I signed a
decree, which rules to secure equal opportunities for all runners, prevent
interference into the electoral process, engage international observers,
including ODIHR, guarantee proper conditions for the observers and election
commissions and ensure security for the voters.
After democratic presidential
and parliamentary elections in 2014, this electoral round is deemed to complete
the total reboot of the power in Ukraine.
I expect that it will become a
point of no return to Eurasian autocracy, which is alien to the Ukrainian
national philosophy.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We rely on continuous sincere
and committed support of our partners for Ukraine and our efforts towards peace
and comprehensive transformation.
We all have to think and act
European today.
But I also urge our European
partners to think Ukrainian a bit.
Ukraine needs it now more than
ever.
We must seize the momentum of
now and secure our common European future of tomorrow.
Thank you very much for your
attention.
No comments:
Post a Comment