Final Thoughts about the Poroshenko Presidency

The Presidency of Petro Poroshenko served a significant purpose in Ukrainian history. It served as a transition from hopefully the last vestiges of Russian domination of Ukraine exemplified by the criminal Viktor Yanukovych to the leadership of a younger generation of Ukrainians – unknown and untested.

On Monday, May 20, a new President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, will be sworn in as the sixth president of Ukraine in a peaceful transition equal to that of the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Poroshenko was not blessed with an easy period or task in Ukraine’s evolution from a captive nation to a powerful, self-confident independent European country. Corruption strangled Ukraine and the people while perennial enemy Russia launched an all-out war against the nation in a major push to re-subjugate it. He had to fulfill his mission while keeping peace among the people inside the country’s borders.

“Change of power is a sign of our belonging to European civilization. We have kept democracy even in the face of Russian aggression,” President Poroshenko in his farewell message to the nation this weekend.

Despite cynical observations by friends and foes about Ukraine, the nation demonstrated civic and political maturity in its peaceful change of power. An enviable trait at any time by a country that has been independent for only 28 years.

Poroshenko continued: “The country did not just survive. It is in a better condition today than five years ago, and this is evidenced by the main statistical indicators. This was achieved only by joint efforts, thanks to the support of the active part of society and the understanding of the majority.”

He bowed to Ukrainian soldiers defending the country against Russian invaders saying “We saved Ukraine, Novorossiia was buried. The aggressor, much stronger than us, stopped. They created an army that became one of the strongest on the continent. Relying on an international pro-Ukrainian coalition, it reliably holds the defense in the East.”

Indeed. The Ukrainian army’s combat skill sets cannot be denied. Friends and foes alike must take note of the Ukrainian military in time of peace and war.

Diplomatically, Poroshenko pointed out that Ukraine “won the diplomatic battle for ratification of the Association Agreement and reoriented the economy to the European Union. The turnover between Ukraine and the EU has more than doubled. And in general, we have never been so close to NATO and the European Union. Including through the absence of a visa, which operates on June 11, 2017.”

He expressed his hope that the Zelensky Administration will continue following this course. The Ukrainian nation, regardless of electing him president, declared in a recent poll that it overwhelmingly favors the NATO and EU courses for its homeland.

“In parallel with the movement towards Europe, we also strengthened our Ukrainian identity. This is his own policy of historical memory, and de-communism. This is Tomos (Ukrainian Orthodox independence), which we received at the beginning of the year. This is the law on the Ukrainian language, as soon as I signed it,” he said.

Acknowledging his shortcomings and failures, Poroshenko gallantly stated “In fact, once again I apologize to everyone whose hopes did not come true; for whom reforms were particularly painful; who in those years, met with untruth, did not find justice. Already explained: even if one believes that the President can do everything, he cannot all at once.”

Turning to tomorrow, the current President of Ukraine told the incoming President of Ukraine: “Volodymyr Zelensky, I wish a successful presidency. A month ago, we were protesters in the election. But tomorrow, it happened, he will be the president of my native country. The countries that I love and whose faith in Europe is firmly believed. So let the Lord take care of Ukraine, and its new leader - helps in work.”

President Poroshenko also left the nation his thoughts about future generations of Ukrainians and their education. In an separate edict about On the Strategy of National-Patriotic Education, he emphasized the importance “of further development in the society of national consciousness, the formation of a sense of patriotism on the principles of spirituality and morality, popularization of the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Ukrainian people, as well as the enhancement of interaction between state authorities, local self-government bodies and public associations in matters of national-patriotic education.”

Without trivializing corruption, the world should look at Ukraine as a totality of Ukrainian patriots building a democratic nation that will be at least equal if not better than others in the global community. Ukraine should be reckoned with by friends and foes.

No small shoes for Zelensky to fill.