My fellow compatriots,
I would like to congratulate all the citizens of Ukrainian on this, the Western Christian rite of Easter. I wish all of you peace, wisdom and most importantly faith in your choices over the direction which Ukraine is following.
Our people have a very acute and healthy sense of justice, understanding of what is right and what is wrong, and a clear idea of what we want to be. These sound values attest to Ukraine.
Whilst I don’t have any doubt in our future, things concern me. I remember well the full engagement and national unity of all Ukrainians after the events of Maidan (the EuroMaidan Revolution that prompted President Viktor Yanukovych to flee power in 2014).
The people gave their mandate to a new president, parliament and government to do their job, to rise above petty personal plans, to act together and, if necessary, to take honest and tough decisions. This was my interpretation of the will of the country.
But instead of an atmosphere of hope, there is a sense of despondency in the air. The campaign to discredit the government has lasted for over a year. Many of our decisions were difficult and unpopular, but there were no other recipes. Alternatives still don’t exist.
For two months the country has been engaged in a squabble over the resignation of the Cabinet of Ministers. This process has become almost comical as most seem to have forgotten the underlying cause while holding their debates.
The major reason for this artificial crisis is not politics, it is ethics and morality. Our government endorsed the objectives and principles that reflected our joint position: to advance the pace of reforms, to prevent any unconstitutional influence on the executive branch and to root out corruption.
Two weeks ago I offered to cement legally these universal principles as a basis for the development of the country. My suggestion received no response, which in itself is surprising.
The inability to respond means that the source of this crisis is not within the government. It is a crisis of leadership, national responsibility and moral ideas about how this new power should act in a broad sense.
Neither names nor personalities, but notably ethical principles appear to be the only way out of this crisis. I utter these words as a realist with extensive experience in the Ukrainian government.
I don’t try to impress anyone using grand phraseology. I want us to find the strength to transcend populism, primitive thinking and putrid political practices seeking ways for revenge and for a return to the past.
Our internal and external threats remain exceptional.
We are in real danger of the imminent threat of an ungovernable political and economic environment, of financial instability and international fatigue with the Ukrainian political class, not to mention from Russian military aggression. No wonder the Kremlin announces that it is looking forward to a change in the Ukrainian authorities.
They remember well the political struggle in Ukraine through 2006 to 2010. Such struggles amongst our national forces will always bring ‘Yanukovych’ and invaders to power.
We must immediately stop marking time which is senseless and oppresses the country.
There is no action, nothing changes and all our efforts are wasted.
There is a way out of such situation – it is right in front of us.
First, in the framework of parliament it is crucial to approve an act on the principles of the relationships within the authorities, to find the way out of this crisis of confidence between the partners and to rebuild the confidence of society on the basis of ethical obligations.
I see as the basis for an act on the principles of the relationships within the authorities the universal goals and principles adopted by our Government. Therefore these ethical obligations should now be laid down in the legislation.
These principles should reflect the common will to accelerate reforms, to minimize any attempt of corruption, and to prevent the usurping of power by any institution. This is a new Ukrainian policy.
I see as co-authors of this law all the members of our European coalition.
If such an act where to happen it would mean that the national leadership and the political class are willing and capable of working on and yielding to a long-term result, just as we promised to the people.
No pre-term elections. No backstage dealings. No games to improve personal ratings, as these ratings will make little sense if we lose our statehood.
Second. This law on our goals and principles should become a supplement to the coalition agreement and the basis for negotiation concerning a future Government.
All the negotiations should be public and carried out within the Verkhovna Rada.
I am ready to talk with any of the coalition partners in any format. But any responsible decisions for the coalition should be made within the coalition: clearly and transparently with regard to our society and using honest and professional arguments.
There is no real alternative to the program of our government. I declare it with full responsibility. Under the current situation any ‘nice’ version means commonplace populism, and to put it plainly, it will not be true.
I reiterate that I will accept any lawful decision of the Rada: either to complete the Government with new members, or to form a new coalition under the Constitution, to appoint a new prime minister, submitted by the president, with a new Cabinet of Ministers and a new program.
It is unacceptable and can be seen as irresponsible to have only the option of an interim Government and a paralyzed executive branch.
Third. The competition for the government and the posts therein distracts public attention from bigger and really fundamental problems.
The country is waiting for a judicial reform – the upgrade of the judiciary, the public prosecution service and of the Ukrainian Constitution, which will enshrine the new distribution of responsibilities between president, parliament and government, and between central and local governments.
Both to advance such reforms and to ensure an overall and real fight against corruption it is vital to see the will and commitment of the national leadership and the entire political class.
I urge the president and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to demonstrate leadership in these actions. It is they, after all, who are capable of overcoming the oppressiveness of uncertainty and demoralization driven by the anti-government struggle in Ukraine.
Fourth. We must develop a common external position of Ukraine. Internal contradictions undermine the reputation of the State.
We should concentrate the necessary forces to accelerate the peaceful settlement of this situation and the restoration of the territorial integrity of the country. But the settlement process should not imply any compromise regarding our future European and Euro-Atlantic integration. Bolstering internal unity will mobilize and enhance international support for reforms within the country.
Fifth. The mandate of confidence which was received by the president, the parliament and the government concern not just the content of decisions and the actions they take, the expectations of people demand a new culture of public policy in Ukraine.
Following the approval of an act on the principles of relations within the authorities and having found a way to restart the government’s activity, we must impose a moratorium on the struggles between political allies, each of whom has claimed allegiance to European values and standards.
The idea of a moratorium is by no means idealistic. If we can rise above destructive infighting for petty interests, if we can manage to rise above personal ambitions and plans, then we will be able to achieve the most important thing of all: to give Ukraine hope for a decent future.
Our example and success would open the way to a new Ukrainian policy and new generation of politicians.
This is what I wanted to say to you on a day when Easter is celebrated in Western Christianity.
May God bless Ukraine on its historical path.
May God extend wisdom and strength to us to achieve our chosen objectives.
May God protect our Army and all our people.
