President Petro Poroshenko emphasizes that Russia continues to pay a high price for the illegal annexation of Crimea and the first priority of the Ukrainian government is to liberate the peninsula. “Today is a tragic anniversary that should unite Ukrainians, concentrate their efforts for the termination of the illegal annexation and occupation of Crimea and restoration of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, including Crimea,” the Head of State emphasized in the Freedom of Speech program on ICTV channel.

“Regarding the fact that someone from some kind of porridge will not cook – I do not collect neither porridge cook nor run for some fishermen like some candidates,” the President also said, answering the question of the presenter concerning the statement of Russian President Putin, who said that with Peter Poroshenko “do not cook the porridge”.

“I emphasize that we have mobilized Ukraine’s global support for not recognizing the illegal annexation of Crimea and applying sanctions against the Russian Federation to motivate Russia politically and diplomatically: first – to liberate Crimea; second – to release illegally detained prisoners of war – Ukrainian military seamen; return the military property,” the President said.

The Head of State added: “Otherwise, Russia pays a very high price. No one in the world believes that Russia takes sanctions in stride”. According to him, nine billionaires declared that sanctions were devastating for them. According to Bloomberg, Russia lost at least 150 billion dollars and 10% of GDP due to the illegal annexation.

He said: “This means that immediately after the presidential elections the issue of Crimea will be the first priority of the President of Ukraine”.

The President also stressed that the High Representative of the European Union Federica Mogherini had stated that the EU would never recognize the annexation of Crimea and continue the sanctions policy. “Today, Russia will pay the price for the illegal annexation. Today, the whole world from the United States to Australia has decided to enhance sanctions. And this is the result of our diplomatic team,” Petro Poroshenko said.

“So, the first priority will be the immediate intensification of international cooperation on the liberation of Crimea politically and diplomatically. This should be the first priority of the Ukrainian authorities,” the President emphasized.

The Head of State also reminded that exactly five years ago he was in Crimea and saw himself the seizure of the premises of the Supreme Council of Crimea by the regular forces of the Russian Federation. “I lay the blame for the murder of Crimean Tatars on Russian troops. I firmly believe that the so-called Prime Minister of Crimea Aksyonov also took part in that, as he confirmed today, giving himself up, that he had coordinated his every step with President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin,” he said.