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Victor Yushchenko’s inauguration address

January 28, 2005 By Uncategorized

Victor Yushchenko gave his victory speech on January 23 after Ukranians finally and officially elected him to office. It stands in stark contrast to other inaugural addressess of recent days. In it, he lays out an optimistic and idealistic program for Ukrainian progress that talks about how he will meet the expectations his people have of him. Mostly he talks about honesty. After all, how can one respond to such profound living in truth without pledging to maintain the standards set by millions of his people?

Two months ago millions of people came to this Maidan, to the squares and streets all over Ukraine. Our brothers and sisters, parents and children, friends and neighbors were standing day and night in the cold. Ukraine was devouring every word sounded here. The heart of Ukraine was beating here. Free people of the whole world, our compatriots dispersed in distant lands, were standing shoulder to shoulder with us. On Independence Square Ukrainians have risen as a modern Ukrainian nation.

Stubborn resistance has stirred up our souls. All of us feel we are citizens. Our decency, generosity and kindness have awakened. Armed with faith and will the people won a glorious victory. This is a victory of freedom over tyranny, law over lawlessness and the future over the past.