For me 24. 08 has always been an ambiguous date, unlike the day of referendum 1. 12. For a long time it was a day - a symbol of disappointments and lost expectations. And that's why.

When the putsch began in Moscow, I worked in the team of the program "Gart" - the analogue of "Look" in Ukraine (with all the then nuances), and at the same time - the stringer of the agency "Reuters". The camera was not given, and I, wearing the "helmet of Reuters", went to the Rada, the office of the then liberal vice-speaker Vladimir Grinev. All Western and Ukrainian young journalists periodically gathered there. It was a hotbed of both hope and information.

When it became clear that in Moscow Yeltsin was taking it up, the Rada's hall began to be filled with deputies, the head of the Verkhovna Rada, Kravchuk, forgot about his recent call to "concentrate on the harvest," and the patriots suddenly said: it's a chance and we must vote for independence because the Communists were frightened. But I was not happy then, because I understood what would happen next - the communist, as it were, and, as it were, an independent Ukraine.

Unfortunately, it happened. CIS, corruption, inflation, former communists - at the helm. But only after two decades I realized the wisdom of the "prisoners of conscience" - Lukyanenko, Chornovil - who then went against it - into an alliance with the Communists. This was a unique chance for Ukraine to become, even then formally, independent, and they used it. For us.

After 26 years for me on this day there are two key points. The obvious for all - the war and our victims. And understanding is new - who we are. All the same, a single, albeit scabrous country with European aspirations. Finally, not de jure, but de facto. But there is another very important moment from the past - a referendum on December 1, 1991. Then more than 80%, including the majority of the Crimean population, said "Yes" to our Independence. This is the main argument of the importance of our Independence Day and the unity of the country, confirmed by all international institutions.

But then everything was ambiguous: are we on our own, or with the CIS? Are we Europe or Eurasia? Are we for the EU or the Customs Union? These half-reforms began and were abandoned. All this differed little from Putin's tactics: to himself and friends - everything, to enemies - the law. And all said that this is "like" independence.

But the time has come.

20. 02. 2014. Corpses on Khreshchatyk. For me - the point of no return. And there is no more chance of making mistakes, because right now this country has real Independence. Too expensive for us it is given. So that we spend it on playing double standards, on the violation of the value of everyone's equality before the law, on manipulating fear of the external threat, as well as on manipulating the "protection of the rights of the Russian-speaking population".

It's time to decide: what do you want to do for the country, and not how you will use it.

In June, I was in the ATU zone for the first time. You know, if someone wants to be charmed by self-pity - very welcome. There. And it's not the government officials who speculate sometimes on the topic of the war, not in their duplicity and greed, but in their belief in this country and its people. It first appeared 100% - conscious and no one took it away. Do your thing for her, perhaps quietly and imperceptibly, or loudly, but make. The self-sustaining community, its small or large but honest business, participate in real reforms - do not let them stop them, in promoting, finally, the Ukrainian language, in volunteering, patronage, fighting corruption, creating films, not for sale to Russia , But for hire around the world, about the real history of his country, which we do not know.

There is, of course, another option - to leave, grumble, engage in moralizing.

Want to leave - leave.

Just do not need in this regard to make yourself a hero. Want to make films for Russians - shoot. Just do not take money from the Ukrainian state. Want to steal - steal, just get out of office. You will still be imprisoned. Sooner or later. And it will be known to everyone.

But I know hundreds, thousands of people whose eyes are shining, because they do care. And they will not give up this Independence. And then - let's talk. About services. Or mistakes. Years through 10.