Dear compatriots from Lviv to Donetsk, from Chernihiv to Sevastopol!
We, Ukrainians, "are a living spark in the family of European nations and active members of European civilizational work". These are the words of Ivan Franko.
"To stand with one's feet and heart in Ukraine and one's head in Europe," Mykhailo Drahomanov commanded.
The return of Ukraine to its natural, European state has been long-awaited by many generations.
Dictatorship that ruled Ukraine in recent years sought to deprive us of this prospect - people rebelled.
Victorious Revolution of dignity has not only changed the government.
The country has changed. People have changed.
The time of inevitable positive changes has come.
To implement them, we need first of all peace, security and unity.
A real war, planned and unleashed in the Ukrainian Donbas, became an obstacle for enormous opportunities that opened for the European modernization of Ukraine after the fall of tyranny.
Until now, many people thought that we got independence without any difficulty.
It is not true! Entire generations of Ukrainian patriots struggled for our independence.
Heroes of Nebesna Sotnya died for it.
Warriors and civilians of Ukraine die for it.
Let us honor the memory of those who died for freedom and independence of Ukraine with a moment of silence.
Moment of silence
I become a President to preserve and strengthen the unity of Ukraine.
To ensure lasting peace and guarantee reliable security.
I know: peace is the main thing aspired by the people of Ukraine today.
The Head of State has a wide choice of various instruments to ensure territorial integrity of Ukraine and peaceful life of citizens.
I will have enough powers and determination. I do not want war. I do not want revenge. Even though there are great sacrifices of the people of Ukraine before my eyes.
I want peace and I will secure the unity of Ukraine. Thus, I begin my work offering a peaceful plan.
I strongly urge everyone who illegally took weapons in their hands to lay them down.
In response, I first of all guarantee the exemption from criminal responsibility for those who do not have blood of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians on their hands.
And those who is not involved in funding terrorism.
Second, controlled corridor for Russian mercenaries who would like to return home.
Third, peaceful dialogue.
Certainly, not with "strielky", "abvery", "bisy" and other criminals.
I am speaking of the dialogue with peaceful citizens of Ukraine.
Even with those who have different opinion on the future of Ukraine. Today, I would like to address compatriots from Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Dear our brothers and sisters, compatriots!
Many of you have already felt the "pleasures" of the rule of terrorists.
In addition to pillage and abuse of civilians, they led the economy of the region, which has already been in crisis conditions, to the brink of total disaster.
But under no circumstances will we leave you in the lurch.
Nationwide presidential elections has put a bold cross on the myth of allegedly illegitimate Kyiv authorities.
This myth has been created by Russian propaganda and clan of Yanukovych who betrayed the Donbas and robbed it even more than the whole country.
He has been inseparably ruling Donetsk region for 17 years. And now, he is funding terrorists.
It is he who shall be totally responsible for political and socio-economic situation of the region.
For unemployment, for poverty and for refugees.
For killed citizens and for mothers' tears.
As President, with what will I come to you in the nearest time?
With peace.
With project of government decentralization.
With guarantee of free usage of Russian language in your region.
With strong intention not to divide people into right and wrong Ukrainians.
With respect for the specifics of regions. For the right of local communities to their peculiarities in the issues of historic memory, pantheon of heroes, religious traditions.
With project on creation of jobs in the East of Ukraine elaborated jointly with our partners from the EU before the elections.
With the prospect of investment, with draft program for the economic reconstruction of the Donbas.
Today, we need a legitimate partner for the dialogue. We will not speak to bandits. Acting local deputies do not represent anyone there already. We are ready to declare early local elections in the Donbas.
This is my peaceful plan for the Donbas and the whole country.