Petro Poroshenko

“ I am sure that, despite the Crimean annexation and the ongoing aggression, millions of Russians still remember that slogan and take it seriously.
Let’s remind them of it!
Let’s show them that freedom is not a luxury (as some try to convince them) , but a necessity – and a precondition for the true success of a nation!
I am convinced that the people of Ukraine and the people of Russia have enough goodwill to give peace one last chance and prevail against the spirit of hate. ”

“ And from the bottom of heart, I deeply, profoundly wish that church candles would be the only things burned in Ukraine from now on.
Over the last months, Ukrainians have shown that they have the courage to stand up to the most powerful enemy.
We will never obey or bend to the aggressor. We are ready to fight. But we are a people of peace.
I am ready to do my utmost to avoid a further escalation and casualties – even at this point, when the war has already started feeding on itself.
Sooner or later, peace will return to Ukrainian homes. ”

“ Standing here, I am grateful – and fully aware that this honor goes not to me, but to the people of Ukraine – those brave men and women who are today on the forefront of the global fight for democracy! ”

“ In Ukraine, you don’t build a democracy – it already exists. ”

“ It came about because, in the moment of existential crisis, Ukraine’s choice was the same as America’s: freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.
In a time of Europe’s skepticism and Russia’s open, unprovoked hostility, Ukrainian citizens have been ready to give their lives to see Ukraine democratic and free.
Circumstantial “boats” can change. The nature of a people cannot.
It is in the nature of the Ukrainian people to tolerate no dictators and to strive for their freedom – no matter what.
Given today’s situation, Ukraine’s democracy will have to rely on a strong army. ”

“ So do Ukrainian citizens and taxpayers.
However, there are moments in history, whose importance cannot be measured solely in percentages of GDP growth.
Ukraine’s war is the only war of the last decade that is purely about values. ”

“ It is a choice between civilization and barbarism.
And while standing at this juncture, before this great trial – the democratic world cannot shrink or hesitate!
We do not want to see all the democratic accomplishments of the last decades to be erased and to have been for nothing.
The free world must stand its ground. ”

“ Now they have invaded Ukraine. The right to protect ethnic Russians, and even Russian speakers, can and already has become a reason to fan the flames of war. Besides Ukraine, the Russian speakers reside in Moldova, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Baltic States, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria. ”