Good evening, great people of our state!

Today's day has been filled with discussions about the historic decision of the EU summit - granting Ukraine candidate status.

Since morning until now on television, radio, and in the Internet, there is a dialogue going on about what this means, what conditions Ukraine must fulfill, how difficult it will be to do so, and how many years it will take...

And I want to say something based on today's conclusions. Let's at least cheer a little bit? Quietly, modestly, in our hearts, but let's celebrate. For ourselves, for our beloved state. Let's feel the moment and enjoy this time.

Imagine that we are conquering Mount Everest. We have reached the penultimate point. We haven't looked around us, not even caught our breath, and we're talking about the further path to the summit. How hard will it be to overcome the last 1848 meters? We forgot and undervalued our own success.

Maybe let's first remember that we have already conquered seven thousand meters?! Let's not be ashamed to talk about our achievements. Let's not be a people with short memory and low self-worth.

We say: the EU granted Ukraine candidate status. Let's say instead: Ukraine earned candidate status in the EU. Did it fall from the sky for us? Have we done little to achieve this?

Today, we focus on seven requirements of the EU. Yes, that is true. But does this scare us? No. Because before this, we successfully completed hundreds of tasks. Let's not forget about this. Not for boasting. But for believing that we will definitely overcome this path. We have conquered seven thousand meters, so let's not stop - let's take our Everest.

Let's at least for a minute think not about what awaits us but about what we managed to do. Because forgetting this, we diminish the significance of this step.

There were times when we couldn't buy tickets in the evening and fly to Europe in the morning. We stood in lines. Documents, visas, etc. Do you remember? A bunch of papers that we carried in a little folder. Which all state institutions demanded from us. With them - officials who did not report to us and did not submit electronic declarations. High-ranking officials for whom there was no special body or court for control. Untouchable deputies. A president to whom impeachment could not be declared. Land that couldn't simply be bought.

Sounds crazy? Seems like it wasn't with us? It was. And not so long ago. But we changed everything.

Privatization. Land reform. Open electoral lists. Decentralization. NAZK, Anti-Corruption Court, CNAOs, e-government services. "Diya". Split. Unbundling. Concession. Common aviation space. Industrial visa-free regime. Deoligarchization.

A lot has been done. Done! Let's not forget this. Let's be proud of ourselves. Respect ourselves.

And we pushed back the Russians and will win. Because then people will respect us when we respect ourselves.

Don't rejoice that it is a slap in Moscow's face. But be proud that it is applause for Ukraine. And because of this, I want to see us as one family. May this inspire you.

We deserve this. We have realized this. Please smile. And may God grant us all a peaceful night.

And tomorrow - back into battle. With new strength. With new wings.

Glory to Ukraine!