President Petro Poroshenko took part in the “First Minute of Peace” rally on the occasion of the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation.

“Long-awaited peace in Europe was established on May 8, 1945 after six years of war. Last year, Ukraine joined European countries in their celebration of the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation. This new tradition does not replace, but complements and enhances usual state holiday - Victory Day over Nazism in World War II,” the Head of State noted.

Petro Poroshenko emphasizes that crucial and the most fierce battles on the Soviet-German frontline were related to Ukraine. 29 of 76 military operations of the World War II took place on the territory of Ukraine.

“Ukrainians fought in the Red Army, Soviet partisan units, resistance movement in Europe, Canadian, American, Australian and British armies,” he noted.

“It was, is and will be our victory,” the President said.

According to the President, present Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation is symbolically combined with Mother’s Day. The role of Ukrainian women and mothers in Soviet partisan units and Ukrainian underground was crucial. Now, modern Ukrainian women also face hard days and sleepless nights.

“Since times of Hitler and Stalin unprecedented violation of international law takes place in the East of Europe. Predatory and voracious empire ignores state borders and tries to expand its so-called living space. Ukraine resists again. The only difference is that the enemy came from the East,” the President said.

According to the Head of State, Ukraine spends almost ⅕ of its state budget for defense and security. It is justified, for those who save money at the cost of their army, feed enemy’s troops.

“Every Ukrainian can be proud of the fact that we have created modern army in two years,” Petro Poroshenko said.

According to the President, the Armed Forces have liberated major part of Donbas and hold the line reliably. We fulfill the Minsk agreements, but our warriors have the order to open fire in response if necessary. The rebuff provocations of the enemy.

At the same time, the President takes into account all factors: military, international, economic etc. Thus, he will try to return temporarily occupied territories under Ukrainian sovereignty in political and diplomatic manner.

We increase the number of professional contractors in the army enhancing our defense capability. Minimum wage of the military has been significantly raised since the beginning of the year. Almost every soldier mobilized last year during the fourth wave of mobilization has been demobilized in April-May. Pay attention that we haven’t announced the seventh wave of mobilization yet,” he said.

“We have substituted demobilized warriors by professional contractors. We are trying to minimize the influence of war on the life of every Ukrainian. The only thing I cannot promise yet is total absence of mobilization. Its scale will depend on the situation on the frontline,” the President noted.

According to Petro Poroshenko, national diplomacy makes every effort to prolong sectoral and economic sanctions against Russia implemented by the EU, USA and other countries in solidarity with Ukraine. “From time to time, several European countries say that sanctions are inefficient. Well, if it is so, sanctions should be enhanced and prolonged, not lifted or reduced,” the Head of State added.