Dignity and Freedom form the foundation of our national idea, one that has the power to unite the nation, mobilize it for defense and inspire it to victory.
The rapid evolution of the Ukrainian revolutions of the late 20th and early 21st centuries crystallized this national idea in historical and political contexts and made it possible to mount an existential challenge to Muscovy, which since the Middle Ages has imagined, and still imagines, itself to be the “Third Rome”.
The emphasis remains on the core values of Dignity and Freedom, for which Ukrainians have fought for centuries and are ready to defend today; on the unchanging European course of Ukraine’s development and its achievements on the path of European integration; and on consolidating Ukraine’s course toward joining NATO.
Our struggle is largely defined by the idea of Freedom, which has lived in Ukraine’s history since the Cossack era, no matter how hard others tried to uproot it during the centuries our state spent under the Muscovite yoke. On the Ukrainian Maidans we learned once again to be dignified and free. With each Maidan, our country gained more and more citizens who understood the importance of such values as Dignity and Freedom.
The modern Ukrainian revolutions united the nation and raised qualitatively new generations of citizens who realize that being free and dignified means being responsible — for yourself, your loved ones and your country.
The Orange Revolution launched the process of building national self-awareness in Ukraine, gave Ukrainians the experience of joint historical action and became the embodiment of solidarity, unity and mutual aid, which gave people the moral strength to stand for long weeks in the frost and cold for the sake of lofty goals.
A distinctive feature of the Orange Revolution was its peaceful nature. An important aspect was that the revolutionary wave was supported by all segments of the population, demonstrating the unity of the Ukrainian people on the path to their goal.
The Revolution of Dignity consolidated millions of people both inside Ukraine and abroad, spreading the Ukrainian national idea in the global context of world politics. Our national Dignity and Freedom are always the sum of the individual qualities and personal choices of citizens.
A state is truly independent and dignified when its society and every citizen are free and dignified.
Ukrainians have reminded the world of the true meaning of democratic values, and today, during the war, the struggle for these values has united all truly civilized nations around Ukraine.
The highest tribute to those who sacrificed themselves for Ukraine is to preserve the state, defend its independence and carry the idea of Freedom with dignity to future generations of Ukrainians.