"After 26 years of independence, we are relieved of deep shock and pain," - Poroshenko

This was announced by President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko in his speech on the occasion of Ukraine's 26th Independence Day, Censor.NET reports referring to 112 Ukraine.

"After 26 years of independence, we are relieved of deep shock and pain, the ordeals caused by the Russian aggression to the economy of Ukraine. We've resumed GDP growth and further forecasts are positive," he said.

See more: Ukraine marked 26 years of independence. PHOTOS

In his opinion, this year is very important for the country.

"Today is not a round anniversary, but the 26th year of independence has become special. It has brought about a number of positive events. They will leave their mark in our history and affect our future. In the 26th year of independence, we have successfully completed the struggle for the ratification of the agreement on the association with the European Union. Moscow took even greater efforts, trying to hamper this process," said Poroshenko.

The president stressed that it is in the 26th year of independence that the "visa curtain" with the EU has been finally removed.