Poroshenko: Kremlin’s purpose is the revision of the European course of Ukraine
The President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko said in his Day of Dignity and Freedom speech that Russia is attempting to destabilize the country in order to ensure early parliamentary elections, strengthen pro-Russian positions in the new Parliament and, in the end, cancel the European course of Ukraine.
“The enemy not only attacks from the outside but also undermines our country from the inside. The Kremlin’s purpose includes constant internal destabilization, anarchy, early parliamentary elections in Ukraine and strengthening of pro-Russian positions in the new Parliament. And then,they want to see the revision of the European course, a complete change in the State’s foreign policy vector and, in the end, the return of Ukraine to the Imperial stable,” Poroshenko stated.
Poroshenko added that, as President of Ukraine, he could not allow such a scenario to take place. “I have repeatedly demonstrated through historical examples how authoritarian Moscow took advantage of the benefits of democracy in neighboring countries, right up until it took them over. I’m sure that it will not make it this time,” the President said. Poroshenko expressed his confidence that Ukraine will get a visa-free regime and association with the European Union on a regular basis.
“This week, the EU Council unanimously adopted a decision recognizing the full implementation of all obligations by Ukraine. It has declared the clear political will of the European Union and all its members to provide us with a visa-free regime in the near future after some purely domestic procedures are agreed on. My negotiations with the leaders of institutions and the EU Member States also give reason to forecast that a mutually acceptable compromise between Ukraine, the European Union and the Netherlands will be found and that ratification of EU-Ukraine Association Agreement and the Agreement of the Free Trade Zone will be completed,” he concluded.
In his speech, the President of Ukraine also apologized to Ukrainian citizens for problems in the economy.
“The government had no other choice in the economy in order to avoid catastrophe and default except to resort to severe and unpopular measures. These were the same standard steps taken by prosperous neighbors from Central and Eastern Europe in the early 1990s. The support of the International Monetary Fund has been and is still extremely important for us. The International Monetary Fund never prescribes sweet medicines. That is why I understand that we unwittingly hurt millions of families. It isn’t a sin to apologize for that. However, I’m sure that more and more people will soon feel the efficiency of measures taken,” the President said.
The Day of Dignity and Freedom is celebrated on the 21st of November. The holiday was set up in honor of the events on Maidan in 2004 and 2013, when Ukrainian citizens spoke out in favor of their European future and democracy. This date was established by the Decree of the President of Ukraine on November 13, 2014.