Fifteen years ago, on November 19, 2005, President Viktor Yushchenko delivered a radio address that marked the first anniversary of the Orange Revolution, noting the ideals of the Maidan and the challenges facing Ukraine at the time.
The anniversary is celebrated on November 22, and Mr. Yushchenko added that “Ukraine proved that we were citizens ready to importunately defend our major right – the right of choice. All of us standing in squares in Kyiv or Lviv, Odesa or Donetsk will forever preserve this feeling of unity and pride in the people and the country. …But we would never have gained our victory without other squares, no matter which banners and flags they were carrying. Donetsk patriotism, Lviv composure, Kharkiv responsibility, Sumy courage and Cherkasy optimism were all bricks of the foundation of our new country.”