Friends!

19th of February is hard and historically important day in the history of Ukraine.

Three years ago, during the Revolution of dignity, on this night there was a terrible storm, capture and burning of building of the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine. In a force were killed 16 protesters, in a fire were killed two people. In addition, were murdered journalist Vyacheslav Veremiy for attempting to photograph of "titushoky" Eternal memory to all those who died. We remember and never will be able to come to terms with this.

Ironically, this day, another historical aspect is significant for Ukraine. On the 19th of February 1954 Crimea became part of Ukraine. Then the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR issued a decree on withdrawal of the Crimean region of the RSFSR and the transfer it to the Ukrainian SSR. It should be noted that even before the official inclusion of territories, the Crimean region was in a chain with Ukraine economic space for the fuel and energy complex, metallurgy, machine building and light industry, railway transport. It should be taken into account, that as compensation for this most ruined by the time region, Russian Federation was given much of the ethnic Ukrainian lands. In addition, this transmission was legal and absolutely transparent. So, whatever myths and fabrications are made by Russian propaganda during the occupation of the Crimea, the fact remains - Crimea was and remains Ukrainian.

The last significant event of the day is approval of trident as small arms of Ukraine, which happened in 1992. Then the competition was attended by more than 200 works. Imagine, 192 of them contained a trident in different contexts. Defeated in the race project historian Andrew Grechylo and artist Ivan Turkish. Trident was made in the graphic tradition of the reign of Grand Duke Vladimir. This period was chosen for good reason, because under Vladimir ethnic Ukrainian lands were united into one state. In addition, the trident in 1918 became the emblem of the UPR as a symbol of collegiality Ukrainian lands. It carried a renovation idea of ​​statehood.

I think all these events - the tragic and purpose ones prove that the struggle for Ukrainian statehood and the strength of its people still continues. History goes by circle, we remember all those events and make them a lesson, we have to remember the price we paid, that’s why Ukrainian will finally come to the victory.