.

On August 24th, Ukraine marks its independence for the 23rd time. During all these years we have been happy to say that regardless of any political contradictions, we have managed to preserve our independence and territorial integrity without any bloodshed inside the country or an external war. But this year has changed a lot.

As a result of refusal of ex-president Yanukovych to sign the Association Agreement with the EU, which we regard as a way back to the European family of nations, Ukrainians took the streets in protests. More than a hundred people sacrificed their lives for a better future for their country. The Revolution of Dignity paved a way for new opportunities to strengthen democracy in Ukraine, develop our economy, and implement long-awaited reforms.

We hoped to develop Ukraine in peace with every country. But our biggest neighbor, who has been claiming for years to be a “brother”, has stabbed us in the back. First, the Russian forces occupied the Crimea. Later, Kremlin unleashed a hybrid war in the east of Ukraine.

Hundreds of Ukrainian patriots have already sacrificed their lives fighting against pro-Russian terrorists in order to defend Ukraine, as well as peace and stability in Europe. Many hundreds of innocent civilians, including the passengers of the ill-fated Malaysian flight MH17, became victims of terrorists and Kremlin’s neo-imperialistic plans.

We are fighting for universal values—freedom, democracy, and territorial integrity. It may sound odd, but we are also fighting for peace. The President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko made it clear that the diplomatic solution would be the most sustainable. The Government of Ukraine is ready for dialogue in order to find a way out of this crisis. Our demands are simple: Ukraine should be a united, democratic, and European state; the terrorists should cease fire, release hostages, and leave our country.

Twenty-three years ago, the people of Ukraine decided to escape the Soviet empire. Nothing will make us go back—neither military intimidation, nor economic coercion.

We are deeply grateful to all those countries supporting Ukraine during these challenging times, first of all the United States. Thanks to the American leadership, Russia has already felt the pain of international condemnation and sanctions. We are convinced that further pressure on Moscow will make it reconsider its policy and resort to civilized methods.

The future is being made now. The world should decide what it will sow today in order to reap it tomorrow. Russia should do the same. War never brings prosperity; only peace and mutual support do.

The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.

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Statement by Ambassador Olexander Motsyk: On the Occasion of Ukraine’s 23rd Independence Day

August 24, 2014

On August 24th, Ukraine marks its independence for the 23rd time. During all these years we have been happy to say that regardless of any political contradictions, we have managed to preserve our independence and territorial integrity without any bloodshed inside the country or an external war. But this year has changed a lot.

As a result of refusal of ex-president Yanukovych to sign the Association Agreement with the EU, which we regard as a way back to the European family of nations, Ukrainians took the streets in protests. More than a hundred people sacrificed their lives for a better future for their country. The Revolution of Dignity paved a way for new opportunities to strengthen democracy in Ukraine, develop our economy, and implement long-awaited reforms.

We hoped to develop Ukraine in peace with every country. But our biggest neighbor, who has been claiming for years to be a “brother”, has stabbed us in the back. First, the Russian forces occupied the Crimea. Later, Kremlin unleashed a hybrid war in the east of Ukraine.

Hundreds of Ukrainian patriots have already sacrificed their lives fighting against pro-Russian terrorists in order to defend Ukraine, as well as peace and stability in Europe. Many hundreds of innocent civilians, including the passengers of the ill-fated Malaysian flight MH17, became victims of terrorists and Kremlin’s neo-imperialistic plans.

We are fighting for universal values—freedom, democracy, and territorial integrity. It may sound odd, but we are also fighting for peace. The President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko made it clear that the diplomatic solution would be the most sustainable. The Government of Ukraine is ready for dialogue in order to find a way out of this crisis. Our demands are simple: Ukraine should be a united, democratic, and European state; the terrorists should cease fire, release hostages, and leave our country.

Twenty-three years ago, the people of Ukraine decided to escape the Soviet empire. Nothing will make us go back—neither military intimidation, nor economic coercion.

We are deeply grateful to all those countries supporting Ukraine during these challenging times, first of all the United States. Thanks to the American leadership, Russia has already felt the pain of international condemnation and sanctions. We are convinced that further pressure on Moscow will make it reconsider its policy and resort to civilized methods.

The future is being made now. The world should decide what it will sow today in order to reap it tomorrow. Russia should do the same. War never brings prosperity; only peace and mutual support do.

The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.