Fellow citizens!
I sincerely congratulate everyone on Constitution Day of Ukraine!
I think that today each of us must honestly answer a simple yet important question. What is the Constitution for you? Just a book I've been reading so long ago that I don't even remember it? The rights I want to enjoy and the obligations I would rather not fulfill? Something politicians constantly want to change? Or is it the legal foundation on which the state stands?
Or maybe it is easier? Maybe our Constitution is the source of answers? The answers that each of us sometimes needs. Do we live right? As a country and as a society. Are we doing enough to hold the title of responsible citizen?
You know, now I am in the Kherson region. This is a wonderful and picturesque land. And we are very lucky, because there are twenty five of them in our country.
All this leads me to such thoughts…
According to the first article of our Constitution, Ukraine is a sovereign, independent, democratic, social and legal state.
I think there is one more statement missing.
Ukraine is incredibly beautiful and charming.
And it doesn't have to be written in the Constitution. It is enough for this to be engraved in our hearts.
And when each of us finally understands that the best country is exactly where we were born, then each of us will cherish it with all his deeds and words.
What does it mean to me to cherish Ukraine?
The answer is simple - to protect every Ukrainian.
And it is the constitutional rights of a citizen that are a clue about how to do it.
We must learn to respect each other's rights.
Understand that the scope of your rights cannot infringe on the rights of another person.
Respect the law, not compete in cleverness as to how to circumvent it.
Let's remember this every time we go to the subway without a mask, turn on the music at night, set fire to the grass, cut down our own forest or drive an overloaded truck.
And especially - remember in moments when you are ready to tear apart, virtually or really, anyone who has a different opinion.
Civil society begins with respect for the Constitution.
A country that everyone respects beings with respect for everyone's rights.
And especially today, not only on Constitution Day, but also on Youth Day, we must promise ourselves that we will pass on a new country to the next generation.
A country not of aggression and hatred, but of mutual respect, freedom and equality.
Let us be citizens every day, not just on June 28.
Let us take care of ourselves!
Let us take care of people around us!
Let us take care of Ukraine!
Happy Constitution Day!