We withstood everything and we'll be on the winning side, says Prime Minister during Parliament’s session on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the beginning of the Russian armed aggression

Ukraine has undergone a significant path of changes and reforms. We stood strong in the face of the Russian aggression, and the final victory over the enemy will be ours. Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman made this statement during a speech at a special session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the beginning of the Russian armed aggression.  The meeting was attended by President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, President of the European Council Donald Tusk, European and Ukrainian parliamentarians, members of the Government of Ukraine and diplomats.

"We are undergoing gruelling period of our independence. By 2014, Ukraine was colonially dependent on Russia which has a very fixed idea of the restoration of the Soviet Union. To realize this idea, they needed a weak, corrupt and ruined Ukraine. And until 2014 due to the weakness of the politicians and weak cohesion they were able to achieve these goals. In 2014, we were weak, but we were committed to our idea - the idea of independence, a democratic state. And at the very moment when Ukrainians hoisted the flag and said that we had our own opinion, our own idea, our own target , and our heart and mind - in a united Europe, weapons were used against us", the Head of Government said.

"We should have a joint stance. We must implement all changes needed within the country in order to be a strong and full-fledged member of the European Union. We must ensure high European standards in all areas of life. During these 5 years, we have gone through a difficult path of changes and reforms. And some people may speculate that they do not see any changes. But how not to notice a new and strong army,  recovery of the economy? We are entering new markets, we are changing many areas of our lives and we are getting a new quality. For this we need a consolidated and common position. I want to thank every hero of our state, who took the position, took the decision for himself and put the state above his interests. I want to thank every Ukrainian who stood strong and demonstrates commitment to the country. Our future is with  Europe. I believe in European Ukraine, in our independence and will do everything in order make Ukraine a strong and prosperous state. We'll be on the winning side. Glory to Ukraine! ", the Prime Minister underscored.