Poroshenko tells US Congress: Live Free or Die is Ukraine’s Motto

In a speech that was punctuated with more patriotic fervor and life-or-death combat passion than the one he delivered yesterday in the Canadian Parliament, President Petro Poroshenko in an address to the US Congress today implored America not to let Ukraine face Russian aggressors alone.

In two days, Poroshenko spoke at the pinnacle of the free world, telling all who would listen that the responsibility for stopping Russian aggression is not only Ukraine’s but also the world’s. Failure would mean that Russia would have to be turned back in another country, in someone else’s back yard.

The US Congress at least has never witnessed such an impassioned plea by a national leader for lethal and non-lethal help in a life-or-death war with an invader. It is a significant tribute to Ukraine that at a time of war with Russia, Washington and Ottawa invited its leader to address their nations.

Poroshenko opened his speech with a reminder that freedom is at stake in contemporary Ukraine: “I will focus on one thing that is at the core of Ukraine’s existence today: freedom.

“There are moments in history when freedom is more than just a political concept.

“At those moments, freedom becomes the ultimate choice, which defines who you are – as a person and as a nation.”

Frequently noting the similarity of both countries’ histories, Poroshenko concluded by alluding to the battle cry of the American Revolutionary War:

“’Live free or die!’ – was one of the mottos of the American Revolutionary War.

“’Live free or die!’ – was the spirit on the revolutionary Maidan during the dramatic winter months of 2014.

“’Live free or die!’ are the words of Ukrainian soldiers standing on the line of freedom in this war.

“’Live free!’ – must be the answer, with which Ukraine comes out of this war.

“’Live free!’ – must be the message Ukraine and America send to the world, while standing together in this time of enormous challenge.”

In between, the Ukrainian president spoke about Russian aggression against Ukraine that could spread to other countries near and far and Ukrainian civilian and soldiers’ steadfast commitment to defend their country in this war.

“The defenders of freedom were willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of a better future. What is even more amazing, they won. Armed with only sticks and shields, they attacked the special police and chased them away,” he said.

Poroshenko’s speech was replete with references to the revolution that ousted Viktor Yanukovych and it served as a comprehensive primer on Ukraine’s history during the past 10 months.

“Day after day, week after week, month after month – thousands upon thousands streamed into the streets of Kyiv, simply because their dignity didn’t allow them to remain passive and silent, while their liberties were at stake.

“The stand-off on the Maidan lasted three months.

“It culminated on February 20-21 – when over 100 protesters were shot by snipers.

“We call them the ‘Heavenly Hundred.’” We revere them as true national heroes.

“We applaud their heroism,” he said.

Later that month, Poroshenko continued, Russia launched its first invasion of Ukraine, in Crimea – “an external aggressor decided to take away a part of Ukraine’s territory.

“The annexation of Crimea became one of the most cynical acts of treachery in modern history.

“Ukraine, which gave up the world’s third-largest nuclear potential in exchange for security assurances, was stabbed in the back by one of the countries who gave her those assurances,” he said.

Poroshenko referred to the Budapest Memorandum in which the US, United Kingdom, China, France and, ironically, Russia, agreed to protect Ukraine’s territorial inviolability in exchange for Ukraine’s becoming a non-nuclear state. His words clearly condemned the signatories for forgetting their pledge – especially Russia which crossed Ukraine’s border with conquest in mind.

“In reality, what we got from Russia was annexation and a war that has brought Ukraine to the brink of its survival,” he said.

Poroshenko categorically proclaimed that under no circumstances would Ukraine ever accept Crimea’s occupation.

“Ending the occupation and annulling the annexation is not only an integral precondition to a full normalization of relations between Ukraine and Russia. It is also an integral precondition to Crimea’s prosperity and modernization,” he said.

“In 2008, Russian troops occupied Abkhazia and South Ossetia. 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. Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine – what happens next,” he said, pointing out that even NATO members are vulnerable to an attack by Russia as it evidenced by the harassment that the Baltic States are experiencing.

“I urge you not to let Ukraine stand alone in the face of this aggression.

“The United States made a commitment that it would stand behind Ukraine’s territorial integrity – and we hope that it will live up to that promise.

“Democracies must support each other.

“They must show solidarity in the face of aggression and adversity.

“Otherwise, they will be eliminated – one by one.

“The aggression against Ukraine has become one of the worst setbacks for the cause of democracy in the world in years,” he declared.

Poroshenko emphasized that the outcome of the war against Ukraine will determine the fate of Europe and other countries. He said the underequipped and “often unappreciated by the world” young Ukrainians soldiers are the only barrier between peace and and “the nightmare of a full relapse into the previous century and a new cold war.” This war is not only Ukraine’s war, he elaborated. It is Europe’s war and it is the world’s war for its freedom.

“Today, aggression against Ukraine is a threat to global security everywhere. Hybrid proxy wars, terrorism, national radical and extremist movements, the erosion of international agreements, the blurring, and even erasing, of national identities: all of these threats now challenge Europe. If they are not stopped now, they will cross European borders and spread throughout the globe,” he said.

Again comparing both countries’ wars of independence, Poroshenko said Ukraine and America chose “freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.”

“With this in mind, I strongly encourage the United States to give Ukraine special, non-allied partner status,” he said. “I also ask that the United States be forceful and stand by its principles with respect to further sanctions against the aggressor.”

Beyond joining the EU and being given special status by NATO, Poroshenko said Ukraine needs to undertake its reforms to fit into the global community.

“Ukraine needs modern governance and non-corrupt public administration!

“Ukraine needs to delegate more powers to local communities!

“Ukraine needs to rely more on its strong, vibrant, and dynamic civil society!

“Ukraine is building a new model of managing its state and economic affairs, where merit and hard work are duly rewarded!

“Ukraine needs know-how, technology, and new start-ups to become better integrated with the global economy.

“And for all that – we need America’s help! In particular, I ask the Congress to create a special fund to support investments of American companies in Ukraine, and to help us with reforming our economy and our justice system,” he said.

Calling on America’s help, Poroshenko said “By supporting Ukraine, you support a new future for Europe and the entire free world. “By supporting Ukraine, you support a nation that has chosen freedom in the most cynical of times.”

Two days, two capitals, two landmark addresses that summarize the threat Ukraine faces due to Russia’s invasion and outline an agenda that can turn the tide for independent Ukraine and the world. We can only hope that everyone paid attention.

Poroshenko in Canada: Ukraine Bleeding for Freedom

In an historic speech by a president of independent Ukraine in the chambers of the Canadian Parliament, Petro Poroshenko expressed his and the Ukrainian nation’s immeasurable gratitude to the government and people of Canada for their tenacious support of Ukraine.

Citing numerous Canadians of Ukrainian descent who over many decades contributed to Canada’s multilateral development, Poroshenko reminded Canadian leaders that “Ukraine today is bleeding for its independence and territorial integrity.”

“Today Ukraine pays a very high price for defending what we believe in – democracy and freedom to choose our own future. For more than two decades we proudly stated that Ukraine gained its independence without shedding a single drop of blood,” Poroshenko said in this typically straightforward and patriotic address.

Unfortunately, the world sees that Ukraine today has been forced to shed blood by Russia.

Poroshenko arrived in Canada yesterday and is expected to travel to the USA, where he will address a joint session of Congress and meet with President Obama. These events are significant testimonies to Ukraine global acceptance at a time when it is waging a life-and-death war with Russia.

Poroshenko noted the global community and Canada’s support for Ukraine’s accession to European institutions and their aid in the war effort.

“Today thousands of brave Ukrainian men and women are sacrificing their lives for the right to live the way they chose to, on their land, under the blue and golden colors of the Ukrainian flag, colors which are so dear to many Canadian Ukrainians. In these dark days we feel your support.

“Once again I thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, and your Government, to the Opposition, to Canadian parliamentarians and senators, all Canadians and fellow Ukrainians for standing tall and making your voice heard. For helping financially, with technical assistance and non-lethal military aid, for supporting us at the international fora such the UN or NATO or G-7,” he said.

Abandoning meaningless diplomatic niceties, Poroshenko courageously declared that Russia is the aggressor and not an unspecified foreign entity. He called the war that Russia launched against Ukraine a “war against terrorism. Our common war,” placing all allies of Ukraine on the same side in this conflict.

“All Allies strongly condemn Russia’s aggression on Ukraine, illegal annexation of Crimea and stand ready to support territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine within the internationally recognized borders,” he said.

“Once again I thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, and your Government, to the Opposition, to Canadian parliamentarians and senators, all Canadians and fellow Ukrainians for standing tall and making your voice heard. For helping financially, with technical assistance and non-lethal military aid, for supporting us at the international fora such the UN or NATO or G-7,” he added.

Poroshenko noted that without Canada’s support, it would be more difficult for Ukraine to face today’s challenges.

While appreciatively praising Canada’s backing, Poroshenko said it is only surpassed by Poland.

“No other leader or nation, no one, I mean it, with the possible exception of Poland was so straightforward and earnest when sending the signal across to Russians and the rest of the world that fighting a nation which is trying to chart its own path is just conceptually wrong. That arming rebels with advanced antiaircraft systems, providing them with operators, intelligence and flight data is wrong. Those who were equipped, trained and financed by Russia executed a terrorist attack shooting down a civilian MH17 flight killing 298 innocent lives of nationals of Netherlands, Malaysia, Australia and others. One Canadian was killed as well,” he said.

As for the Verkhovna Rada’s recent ratification of the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement, Poroshenko said it was the last goodbye to the USSR.

“It was the last Rubicon that we had to cross. We will never return to our awful past. I am confident that our values, our freedom, our democracy, our European future and prospects of participation in various international organizations can be achieved. For Ukrainians passed one of the most difficult tests. We paid the highest price for the desire to be a European country. That’s why we will defend our independence and freedom. We want to become a fully-fledged member of the EU,” he said.

Looking beyond the war effort, Poroshenko thanked Canada for preparing 500 observers for the upcoming parliamentary elections and indicated that both countries have much to accomplish in the world of commerce and technology.

“Dear friends, let’s look beyond the crisis and war. Let’s think how we enhance the Special Partnership between Ukraine and Canada,” he said. “I am convinced that we need to pay more attention to the bilateral cooperation in such spheres as energy, trade, investments, information and air-space technologies.”

Indeed, history was written with Poroshenko’s speech in the Canadian Parliament. His message remains strong, he remains confident and his leadership remains inspirational.

Not All of Luhansk and Donetsk to Get Special Status

The mainstream media again exaggerated the meaning of President Poroshenko’s statement about a still undefined status for war-torn regions of eastern Ukraine.

The New York Times of September 15 declared in a headline “Ukraine Proposes ‘Special Status’ for Breakaway Regions.”

“In keeping with a provision of a recent cease-fire agreement with separatists, the Ukrainian government submitted a draft law to Parliament on Monday that would grant ‘special status’ to the breakaway Donetsk and Luhansk regions for three years.

“The main points include amnesty for those who participated in the ‘events’ in those regions; the right to use Russian as an official language; the election of local councils; funds for social and economic development from the state budget; and the right to form local police forces,” the newspaper noted in the first two paragraphs of the article.

First of all, Luhansk and Donetsk did not seek to break away from Ukraine. Even the Russian-speaking population was satisfied with being an indivisible part of Ukraine. Russian hatched the idea of invading Ukraine and annexing eastern regions just like it did with Crimea.

The concept of special status was raised in the superfluous 12 points that laid the groundwork for the truce in eastern Ukraine, which Russia mockingly has violated repeatedly since the ink dried on the accords.

The average American reading what The New York Times wrote about the special status would observe “no big deal.” Those are the notions incorporated in America’s principle of states’ rights, whereby the cop on the beat is not managed by Washington and Spanish could be used colloquially and officially where there is a dense population of Spanish-speaking people.

Poroshenko did not outline his plan as loosely as the Times indicated, according to his website.

“Petro Poroshenko reminded that the key element of his peace plan was the issue of special status for certain districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions ‘that are de-facto elements of decentralization with complete and unconditional adherence to sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of our state and with attributes like foreign, security and legal policy belonging to the state.’

“The President drew attention to the fact that special status was clearly determined in time – 3 years. ‘During this time we will be able to introduce the issue of profound decentralization which must also provide for respective amendments to the Constitution,’ the President said.”

Special status even for three years does not pertain to all of Donetsk and Luhansk – the breakaway regions as the Times called them – but to certain unspecified districts, all of which remain part of Ukraine.

Poroshenko’s plan also hints at a division of responsibilities between regions and the capital that are similar to what we enjoy in the USA, which basically stipulates what the regions or states can do and what is assigned to the federal government.

While he’s willing to consider amnesty for some, Poroshenko is adamant about adding but not for all. “Speaking of his draft law on amnesty, the Head of State noted that the amnesty would not relate to criminals who had committed crimes under the articles of the Criminal Code regarding deliberate murder, terrorism, attempted murder of statesman, law enforcer, judge, rape, pillage, abuse of the dead bodies, vandalism and a series of other articles that should ensure the integrity of our state,” the website stated.

In other words, the Russian commanders of the invasion and secession movement could be brought to an updated Nuremberg trial and be tried for sedition, subversion, treason, secession, murder and crimes against humanity.

Without taking into account Russia’s breach of the ceasefire, special status for certain districts of Luhansk and Donetsk is above and beyond merciful consideration by Kyiv. Presumably, the desire for peace carried the discussion.

However, beginning a discussion in the course of the next three years about decentralization that would include all oblasts, cities and towns of Ukraine from west to east would be a beneficial exercise for all of Ukraine.

Yatseniuk: Russia’s Goal to Restore Prison of Nations

The younger generation of Ukrainian political leaders that has come to power after the ouster of Moscow flunky Viktor Yanukovych understands the nature of Russian aggression and imperialism. These young men and women recognize that Russia’s goal is to repair the torn curtain, restore the iron curtain, and rebuild the Russian prison of nations that for centuries subjugated peoples near and far.

Arseniy Yatseniuk, 40, the current prime minister, belongs to that leadership group.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and temporary occupation of Crimea and regions of eastern Ukraine fulfill a long-standing expectation of Russian intentions. Its inherent aggression has been played out for the world to grasp – if it has the stomach to do so.

For centuries, every time Ukraine attempted to assert itself and escape Russia’s bondage, Moscow pounced on Ukraine and dragged it back into the prison of nations. Ukraine wasn’t the only nation to face such brutality. The other near and far nations – Poland and the Baltic States on one side and Georgia on the other side – were also subjected to this mistreatment.

In the inaugural issue of The Torn Curtain on February 6, 2012, we wrote: “Russia is unabashedly endeavoring to re-establish the historical glory of its past and continues to stretch its tentacles to its ‘near abroad.’ The peoples of Ukraine and Belarus are earnestly establishing democratic institutions and lifestyles even though their governments are restricting freedoms and succumbing to Moscow’s gravitational pull. Poland and the other Eastern European countries have progressed beyond the threat zone but are careful enough to understand that they are still within earshot of Russia and therefore must seek comfort at the side of the United States.”

Due to Russia’s overt belligerence, the situation in Eastern Europe has indeed taken a turn for the worse. Russia, the Kremlin and Vladimir Putin are intent on rebuilding the empire – tsarist, communist or federal. Yatseniuk and other leaders of Ukraine realize that Putin or whoever occupies the Kremlin will never allow Ukraine to be sovereign.

At a press conference in Kyiv on September 12 he declared categorically: “Putin cannot cope with the idea that Ukraine will be part of the European family. I clearly understand the final goal of Putin. We are still in a stage of war and the key aggressor is the Russian Federation. He doesn’t want to take just Donetsk and Luhansk. He is trying to take all of Ukraine. He wants to restore the Soviet Union.”

Yatseniuk on September 3 had denounced Russia a “terrorist state” for its wanton invasion of eastern Ukraine and reaffirmed Kyiv’s desire to join the NATO alliance as the only strategic step to protect the country from Russian aggression.

“Russia is a terrorist state, it is an aggressor state and will bear responsibility under international law,” Yatseniuk declared. “Concerning NATO, I consider the most correct decision would be one to accept Ukraine as a member of NATO.”

Yatseniuk also pointed out during a televised cabinet meeting that pro-Russian separatists, in addition to waging a ground war to conquer Ukraine, were also deliberately targeting energy infrastructure in eastern Ukraine to re-subjugate Ukraine by turning off the energy spigot.

“The Russian bandits and terrorists are deliberately destroying the energy system of Ukraine, knowing that restoring it will cost billions,” he said.

These observations are not those of post-World War II captive nations’ leaders but the warnings of today’s generation of Ukrainian leaders who were born, raised and educated in the time of the USSR – the evil empire as the late President Ronald Reagan had said. Russian history and behavior – and russification in general – taught them that relations with Moscow are dangerous and it is best to steer an independent, sovereign course to Europe.

Western leaders would do well for Ukraine, themselves and the world to heed their cautions.