Page 47 - BNE_magazine_06_2019

bne June 2019 Eastern Europe I 47
everything. I am certainly not afraid of difficult decisions, I am ready to lose my popularity, my ratings, and – if needed – I am ready to lose this post without
the country. Among the exhortations Zelenskiy made was a demand to forego the usual practice of putting a portrait of the president on the office wall.
people who will serve the nation should come to power,” Zelenskiy said in
a swipe not only at his predecessor, but also the parliamentary deputies listening to the speech.
The theme of unity that was his core message during the election campaign was repeated, to which he added a call on all Ukrainians to participate in the transformation of the country.
“Starting today, every one of us bears responsibility for Ukraine, which we will leave to our children. Each of us, in our places, can do something for the development of Ukraine,” Zelenskiy said. “A European country starts
with everyone. Yes, we have chosen
a (political) direction to Europe, but Europe is not somewhere there, it’s here [Zelenskiy pointed at his head]. And when Europe is here [he pointed at his head], it will come to our country.”
Zelenskiy called on migrant workers
to come home to help rebuild the country, but also on the diaspora of some 20mn Ukrainians living long-term in other countries to participate in the resurrection of the country.
“And today I address all the Ukrainians in the world. There are 65 million of us,” Zelenskiy said. “To all who are ready to build a new and successful Ukraine, I will happily give Ukrainian citizenship. You have to be coming to Ukraine like you’re coming home – not visiting as
a guest. We are waiting for you. Don’t bring souvenirs from abroad, bring
us your knowledge, experience, and values. All of this will help us start
a new epoch.”
“I am ready to lose my popularity, my ratings, and — if needed — I am ready to lose this post without
hesitation in order to bring peace”
hesitation in order to bring peace,” Zelenskiy said switching into Russian for the parts of the speech that were clearly aimed the Kremlin, but also intentionally speaking directly to
the Russian population, who have been following the change of power in Ukraine closely.
“We are all Ukrainians wherever we live. Ukraine isn’t about the passport, it’s about what’s in the heart. I know this for sure from the fighters who defend Ukraine, our heroes – both Ukrainian- speaking and Russian-speaking,” Zelenskiy said.
The war in Donbas remains the top con- cern for voters. A poll released the same day as Zelenskiy’s inauguration found that the vast majority said ending the war was their top priority.
"According to Ukrainians, the most pressing issues are the ceasefire in Donbas (88.4%), price level and inflation (84.5%), the return of detained persons [to Ukraine] (84.3%)," a survey by the Social Monitoring Center, the Ukrainian Institute for Social Research and the Rating Social Group found.
The pollsters added that the Ukrainian citizens are least concerned with the potential membership of Ukraine in Nato and the foundation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine – both issues that were at the centre of Poroshenko’s campaign.
Indeed, his speech was reminiscent
of US president John F Kennedy’s immortal “Ask not what your country can do for you” speech, calling on both the population and the politicians to put aside selfish self interest and work for the greater good of revitalising
“I would very much like for you to
not have my portraits in your offices. No portraits! A president isn’t an
icon, or an idol. A president is not a portrait. Put there photographs of your children, instead. And before making any decision, look them in the eyes,” Zelenskiy said in one of the most powerful moments in his speech.
After stopping the war, the second most important priority will be to make Ukraine prosperous – and here he clearly targeted ending the endemic corruption. Despite having no political experience Zelenskiy was swept
to power with 73.22% of the vote, thrashing the incumbent Poroshenko who got 24.45% largely because of the failure of the previous administration to do anything about corruption and the falling standards of living.
“My election proves, people are tired
of experienced, systemic, inflated politicians, who for 28 years have created a country of opportunities... opportunities for kickbacks, money flows, corruption. We will build a country of other opportunities, where everyone is equal before the law, where there’s a level playing field. But before,
“A president isn’t an icon, or an idol. A president
is not a portrait. Put there photographs of your children, instead. And before making any decision, look them in the eyes”
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