he's no foreign person to us. we have seen him on a regular basis. he wrote a famous book called words matters. he understands what policy leaders, he's a republican. what he grapples with is trying to find common ground in how we communicate in a responsible way. let's give a round of applause for frank lunts. [applause] >> as i stand here, i'm neither a republican, nor a democrat i'm an american. and it give me such great pride to speak. i need to ask the mayor, the reason why i actually agreed to do this is because i wanted an autograph, so if you can help me out --

[laughter] okay, i do the jokes here. all right. thank you. wait, i got -- who is kevin johnson? you told me you were michael jordan. [laughter] it is a pleasure and i welcome you also to washington. i see the mayor has left. i blame this on congress. you can drive 25 miles in any direction and never leave the scene of the crime. i want to welcome the -- i know c-span is here. i want to say hello to the viewer. [laughter] you'll not forget today. mayor, perfection. absolute perfection. if the public could hear what you just said, and i hope that this is replayed and replayed, they would have faith in their leadership that they do not have now.

[applause] and i begin with humor because i'm nervous and intimidated. and i mean that. of everything i'll do this year, there is none more important. i listen to the people every day. i do focus groups every day and every night. if you could hear the fear, the anxiety, the skepticism, even cynicism with the american people right now, and the only people they have faith in, the only people that they think that can lead is the people in this room. you have no idea how important you are, you have no idea the potential that you have and i'll do my best over next 15 minutes to give you the language to succeed. so i urge you to take notes. the words aren't chosen because these words aren't chosen lightly. these are the words of the american people. it's hard to follow the mayor because he did it so well.

and i will try to best i can. but of all of the things that the public is looking for, it's not about budgets are welfare or education or taxes. there are simple day-to-day concerns that matter to them. i listen to the people every day. i do focus groups every day and every night. it's hard to follow the mayor because he did it so well. and i will try to best i can. but of all of the things that the public is looking for, it's not about budgets are welfare or education or taxes. there are simple day-to-day concerns that matter to them. i would create this checklist. these are the things they're asking you for. you all know, those of you who have seen me, is that i would like to be down there than up here. they want you to feel their fear and their anxiety and standing

behind a podium doesn't do it justice. but i've been told i have to stay here. how do your policies deliver fewer hassles were more chases more money, more time? how do you policies deliver a better lifestyle, a better work life balance. these are day to day concerns that everyone has whether they're 16 or 65. so it isn't philosophy. it isn't even policy. it's what happens to you in the day to day existence. and in fact this is the question that people are asking. not many people in this room live paycheck to paycheck. do you realize that 40% of of americans do? for many of you it's 60% or 70% of your cities. and they think that politicians don't understand that, living paycheck to paycheck, learning to do more with less. if they have to do it, why can't government? that's the question they're asking of you and it's a legitimate question in a 3.0 city. which i love that phrase, 3.0. it fits with what's happening in america. here's the deal. every time you talk about a problem from this point forward, you got to provide a solution. don't just talk about what is wrong until you give them specific ideas about what is right, or your ideas for what is right. they live it. they know it.

and in a 3.0 mayor you'll be focused on results and solutions with not just what is going wrong. this isn't just about your turn or even the person who follows after you. but the public is so deeply asking for are leaders that look a generation ahead, that see the challenges of cities not in 2015 2015, but 2025 and 2035. start it now so that ten, 15, 20 years from now, long after you're gone, they'll feel the benefits of the future by two to one. they would rather have you focus on tomorrow than today. in terms of language, i we heard about efficiency and effectiveness. i got two more words accountability and results driven. the reason why account act -- accountability matters so much -- by the way i just caught myself in the monitor over there

and i am really fat. [laughter] can you put the thin person's veil up back there? look at this. i feel like governor christie, my god. [laughter] i have to live it every day. i turned -- i don't believe in hugging. i turned 51 last year and blew out all of the candles on my cake. do you know what i they asked me for? another birthday cake. washington has failed them. they want to know that if you make a promise that you don't keep, they have the chance to hold you responsible. and results driven because they're tired of the rhetoric that they get out of their town and they want you to deliver for them.

if you give them an agenda that says you deserve schools that actually teach children, you deserve a police force that keeps the cities safe and keeps us feeling secure, you deserve a cleaner, safer, healthier, environment, you list five or six points and you do it now in your state of the city speeches, you deserve, i promise you that that empowerment, the people that you represent, how they will take that is that you respect them, you appreciate them and you want to deliver for them. you deserve is the most empowering way you can communicate your agenda going forward. now i want to get i done checklist. in fact, i've got one more thing here. of all of the things that you can do, you want to prove that you have a record of results. action. solutions. so i want you to deliver a get it done commitment.

no more conversation, no more talk, no more excuses. you will get it done. and so, mayor, i know it's the wrong sport but i want to give you my get it done football. it is fully inflated, by the way. [laughter] and if you will leave that in your office, it will remind you every day of so many good things that you've done for the city of sacramento. you know, he's not just a bill i -- a brilliant player. he's a brilliant mayor. and you are what gist me faith in the future. i have not given that ball to any democrat until today. [laughter] [applause] >> that's pretty good. dallas and sacramento, both teams not in the super bowl. [laughter]

and for the record, the mayor of fort worth throws better than the mayor of dallas. [laughter] pro-active problem solvers. it's a tough thing to say, but it's what your citizens are looking for. proactive, because they don't want you to wait. pragmatic, and problem solvers because you'll get it done. the combination of all three is what they're seeking from you. that's what they want you to be. i'm going to give you a checklist. a 3.0 mayor doesn't know from partisanship. they don't think of themselves as republicans and democrat. a 3.0 mayor has a partnership with a business community and the labor unions and they're all brought in together. you're holding town halls. the key to a town hall, do this for me please. how many of you mayors here hold town halls at least once a month.

raise your hands. it's not many. the ones that do, do me a favor. let your audience speak first. let your citizens go first. let them talk for 10 or 15 minutes first. the person who came the furthest to get there, let them go first. something obviously matters to them. if you let your citizens go first, they'll know that you're listening to them, that you're learning from them. engage in community leaders, organizations, it's bringing more people in rather than less. yes, the meeting may last a little longer, but the public values a variety of voices. and the more voices the better. i'm going to give you some language now. of all of the words -- some of you heard me say this. of all of the words you can possibly use, the most powerful of all is imagine. if you ask someone to majesties of perfection, everyone in this room, 300 people, 400 in here, each one of you would have a different imagination of cities

at perfection. you speak with imagine and it allows people to dream and then it allows you to accomplish. a healthy economy is so much more powerful than economic growth because a healthy economy means good things are happening. healthy schools, healthy neighbors, healthy families. it's not about health care. it's about what we want from your day-to-day lives. stability and security. by the way, something we found which i think is very interesting, man actually put security number one and women put stability. but either way, it communicates peace of mind which is the highest value of all. you're in control. in any city 3.0, citizens are more engaged many in what they're doing in their lives. by the way, i welcome you to take pictures of this. i really do. this is the language of your constituents and if you attach the language around the people you represent, they'll understand you better, they're more likely to follow you,

they're more likely to invest in you and that's good for cities. let me show you a couple more in terms of phrases. i did an uncompromising commitment. that's what you're all about why you work 20 hours a day, seven day as week. uncompromising commitment means that you're all in. you're not going to give up, give in and you're going to get it done. a more efficient accountable government. you heard it from the mayor. of all of the things the public is looking for were that is the number one attribute. efficient, effective and accountable. you demonstrate that you can do more with less, you prove efficiency within effectiveness and accountability open and you've done your job well because we can clearly say, no matter what party you are, that is not happening here in washington.

local resources with a neighborhood approach, we are becoming smaller and smaller as we look forward. we're now looking and we are engaged in our neighborhoods but we want to make a difference in the places and the people who are close to us. and that's the idea of a neighborhood approach. because it's how we live and it's how we think. no fine print, it means that there's no out. there is no excuses. there are no exceptions. what you say is what you mean. and that last one, cities of opportunity. i got that idea from the mayor. because the greatest innovations are happening in america's cities. greatest changes. the greatest focus on the future and opportunity is the number one value when you ask american what is are they looking for themselves or for the future. couple more points and then i'll close. even more important that results, and you'll hear that a lot, it's the idea that you're working together to get the job done. this is why i love the organization. yes, i have been here a lot.

i actually feel good when i leave here. i feel optimistic watching these people work together, trying to get the job done. this doesn't happen in washington. it doesn't happen in congress. congress has a 14% job approval rating. gaddafi had a 19% job approval rating. [laughter] and that was among the people who killed him. you show that you work across the aisle, that there is no partisanship and you're communicating the philosophy that they appreciate. another point which i need to challenge some of you are. you talk about creating jobs. jobs are great. jobs are particularly important for those that don't have it. but what do the american people really want? a career. a job is 9:00 to 5:00. a career is 24/7. a job is something you get up to go to and you can't wait to get home from. a career is everything, and that's what your residents, that's what your citizens really

want from you. if you talk about experimenting, this is warning for you, or taking risks, that's not what they're looking for. they expect from you proven leadership, proven results. they're not laboratory animals. they're human beings and they do expect you and they have the right to expect for you to get it right. i hear economic prosperity economic justice and growth. a healthy economy is all of that and more. that's what we hope for in america. in terms of the infrastructure it isn't just a road or a bridge. it's quality of life. you need to focus on the benefit, not just the process. you need to focus on what it does for safety, what it does for making life hassle free or worry-free. if you focus on what you're going to spend on, then the public sees expenditure.

if you focus on what it does the public is willing to make the investment. and finally, a couple, just a couple of points in education. i used to believe that accountability was number one, and it's number two. number one is every child, every family, every school, every community. what i've learned about education in terms of what they expect from you, it's every and all so that every child benefits, every child has the opportunity that is so essential. you see up there, number 11, prepare for college career and life. that takes in every child. 40% of kids still don't go to college, don't graduate from college. for some kids it's vocational training. and the fact is the more that we do in that area, the more rounded this country will be. and let's not forget the parents who want their kids to have a trade, to have a skill and how profitable that can be. look at number 13.

it's not how much we spend, it's how we spend it. that's the efficiency and effectiveness. in a 3.0 city, it really is about the result. it is not about the process. and this last one here, every student deserves an effective education. it's not about education reform. it's about education excellence. it's about what we do. one more point on education. you have to do it because they don't trust washington to. and they've seen the schools fail under washington control. they truly are looking to you to make a difference, to get into those schools, to demand accountability, to measure them, the ensure that their children are getting the education that they deserve. this is how you define the schools, the parents, the curriculum, teachers that are inspiring and pash nate, parents that are involved, public schools challenging, motivating and effective.

don't pass it off. take responsibility for it. and finally here's your daily checklist. the things that they expect from you. they want you to know what they live, which is why you need them to speak first. they want to know that you understand their daily concerns, that you respect their hard work, and i use that term deliberately. because americans feel like they're working harder than ever before and they have less to show for it. they want to know that you hear their fears and anxieties, another word they use. because if you hear it and know it you can use it. you can change because of it. they expect you to coit differently and they want to know that their day to day life is going to benefit. of all of the things i will do this year, this is by far the most important. i know that every day is tough.

and i know that you can look back on a day tore two where you would say i would rather not have this job. but in most cases you ran for it, you wanted it and you have it. you're going to have a great conference here because you've got an amazing leader here. but when you go back to your room to night, don't just go back and look at the agenda for tomorrow or respond to e-mails. i want to inspire you to inspire your constituents. i want to encourage you to tell them to ask for more and demand more. a 3.0 city does not accept the status quo. a 3.0 city does not say well we've made it better so that's good enough. a 3.0 city delivers what washington cannot do. and that is the quality of life and a standard of living and the inspiration of hope and opportunity for everyone you

represent. in any mind you people in here are heroes for what you do. deserve that label. earn the position that they have given to you. and do what mayor johnson has done, make a daily difference in the quality of life of the people that you represent. thank you very much. [applause] >> let's give a round of applause. [applause] >> all right, mayors. we are supposed to be done at 2:15. we are going to get done early. you'll have a little extra time. if you don't have your security clearance, please make sure to see a u.s. conference of mayor's staff person to make that happen. there's standing committee meetings and task force meetings throughout the rest of the day and tonight there's an open reception honoring women mayors. thank you very much.

god bless you. thank you. [applause] >> on the next "washington journal," steve israel talks about his role as the chair of the pulsing to mutations committee. republican -- policy and communications committee. and republican tom mcclintock on mandatory sick leave benefits. "washington journal," is lighter morning at 7:00 eastern on c-span. >> the saturday, live coverage

of the iowa freedom summit from des moines begins at 10:00 eastern. speakers include potential 2016 potential -- presidential candidates. as well as 2008 by spurs all -- vice presidential candidate sarah palin. >> here are some of our featured programs for this week in the c-span network. on c-span2, saturday night at 10:00 former governor mike huckabee on america's current political and cultural landscape. sunday night 11:00, princeton university historian examines the political initiatives from lyndon johnson. on america's history tv on c-span3, saturday to talk eastern, lectures in history university of california davis

professor on the role of the british royal air force and allete strategy during world war ii. sunday evening at 6:00 on american artifacts, an archivist at the purdue university special collections division tours the schools a millionaire arts collections, housing the largest collection related to her. find our schedule online, let us know what you think. call or e-mail. or send us a tweet. join the c-span conversation, like us on facebook, follow us on twitter. >> ukrainian president petro poroshenko spoke at the world economic forum at davos switzerland, where he made a plea for support against russia. he called for closer ties with western europe. this is one half hour.

>> ladies and gentlemen, i'm delighted now to welcome petro poroshenko, the president of ukraine. of the new ukraine, if i may say so. it is not your first visit, mr. president. but it marks your first visit as president of ukraine. when you joined a/year, it was that a very critical moments, and you came as the member of ukrainian parliament, and is the leader of your position. you arrived here at a very crucial moments for your country. we all recall your heartfelt the

with the people to stand with the people of ukraine. mr. president any 14 -- 2014 was the most difficult year certainly in the history of the recent history of your country. particularly we recognize all the challenges on many fronts you had to face. you held an unprecedented first round victory in the presidential race, and the recent parliamentary elections also have given you and your allies a strong popular mandate which brings the pressure of high expectations, along with the legitimacy to pursue truly

transformative reforms. the situation in ukraine and its region come in europe, is clearly of great concern and of significant consequences. that only for us here, for your country, for europe, but for the whole global community. the world is looking to her strong leadership and persistent determination to de-escalate tensions, and revitalize the ukrainian economy and statehood. we presently seem to be in a stalemates situation, where all sides may have been increasing and unacceptable price to pay --

for most in human lives, in economic resources, if a solution cannot be found soon. mr. president, we are very fortunate to hear from you directly about the situation in ukraine, and about your ideas how this country could be pertinent, and how we, the international community, but assist you and -- could assist you and support you in your efforts. mr. president, the floor is yours. [applause] >> first of all, i want to thank professor schwalm and all the team from -- for having this opportunity. it is a great opera -- a great

pleasure for me to have this floor. exactly one year ago, i was your guest, and have the same opportunity to address with the distinguished audience about the future perspectives of ukraine. exactly one year ago it seems to me like it was in a different life. such big changes we have, not only in ukraine, not only in europe, but in the whole world. from first part, we hope positive change. we have mostly free and fair democratic elections. all ukraine, for the first time to give the votes for me, it was every single region of ukraine who supported me as a president. that gives us a unique opportunity to provide reforms.

on the 27th of june, i signed the association agreement with the european union in brussels. events were long-awaited by the ukrainian people, and was one of the main reasons for the revolution of dignity. when the previous president rejected to sign it and stop the european integration process. and tried to move to turn the vector of our development in a different direction. on the 16th of september this association agreement was ratified simultaneously by the ukrainian parliament and the european parliament.

for more than a constitutional majority of votes. we have a parliamentary election. his is not an easy decision, do declare the early parliamentary elections while the countries in the state of war. but the further development of events demonstrate that this is absolutely clear and right decision. because the ukrainian people demonstrate a very responsible choice. and give more than constitutional majority for the political party promoting in standing stronger for the european union integration of ukraine. so now we have a completely different country. we are as united as never before. all 23 years before, ukraine was divided. half of ukraine wanted to go to the european union.

today, ukraine is completely pro-european, more than 78% of ukrainians strongly go for the european integration. one year ago, it was on the 16th -- it was only 16% of ukrainians that supported him and -- supported integration. all the time before, the question of religion, the question of language divide my country. today, ukraine as united -- is united to provide a referendum for any question, including a question of language, a question of the structure of my country and the unity and the unitarian state -- status of ukraine would be widely supported on contrary

with the federalism state which is supported not more than 10%. so ukraine became stronger. ukraine become more democratic. it became ready for reform. at the same time ukraine has now the most difficult time in their history. ukraine are now under the aggression. aggression not only connected to the annexation of the crimea. aggression is connected when the 7% of our territory in donetsk and luhansk are occupied. and the developments of their last days is very nervous. the situation which we had in december gave us some strong hope for optimism. from the ninth of december, when it was declared by the

representative of the ukrainian general staff and russian representatives minister of defense, when we declared the so-called artillery silence. immediately, from the ninth of december, the number of artillery shelling's was reduced from their 70, 90, to less than 10. i was very happy with those figures. they gives us a strong feeling that this terrorist who is opened fire against ukrainian civilians and ukrainian troops are at least under control. under control of russians. at least we implement the means -- the minsk agreement. it's a memorandum we've signed

on the fifth of september, 19th of september. it's very simple. it's completely based on my piece pan -- peace plan. from the touchline on the fifth of september, we should immediately withdraw the heavy artillery and weapons. point number three, immediately release all the hostages, which is illegally cap on the occupied territory and in russian prison. they kept my officer including pilot. they are just defending their own country. and they were captured, delivered to russia, and illegally detained in a russian president. these national heroes of ukraine has had a hunger strike for 38 day today. the only thing we demanded in the minsk memorandum was

immediately release all the hostages. point number four, very important, i promise you we will have absolutely clear and stable situation in ukraine, if russia fulfills point number four. close the border, and withdraw all the foreign troops for my territory. because now, on the date of our intelligence confirms by independent sources, we have more than 9000 troops of russian federation on my territory. including more than 500 tanks and heavy artillery and armed personnel carriers. if this is not an aggression, what is an aggression? but unfortunately and the final point of the minsk memorandum is immediately, we have is a cease-fire.

if they removed from the streets armed persons, we declare a very simple thing -- elections. local elections under ukrainian legislation. in a democratic country that does not exist in any other mechanism for democracy. just the person who would be responsible for this region's of donetsk and luhansk should be elected by the people. this election should be under ukrainian legislation, the presence of the international monetary mission, it should be recognized by the whole world. very simple. ukraine fulfills all the obligations from their side. and we count the russia, and the rebels supporting by russians can do the same. instead of that, we have fast attacks that were started from the 10th of january this year.

after 24 hours, was in paris. i was among the 50 leaders of the state on the street of paris , in the march against the terror. i remember the slogan on the paris street. je suis charlie, and we are not afraid. we are not afraid of terror because we are united, i was proud to be at that time on the paris street. two days after the march in paris, on the 15th of january we have the tragedy. when a russian missile operated by russians supported rebels hit a civilian bus. and all ukraine stands in the movement.

we are together with the victims of the terroristic attack on this bus. where 13 civilians, including 114-year-old girl -- one 14-year-old girl were killed by missiles. 15 additional civilians were innocent victims who were wounded. i have here -- i have here parts of the bus. with the hit of the fragment of russian missiles that hit by people, and for me, this is a symbol. a symbol of the terroristic attack against my country. the same way a symbol like

charlie hebdo. in the same way a terroristic attack by a russian missile against the malaysian airplane, which were killed. 298 innocent victims from 17 countries. which demonstrates that the terror is not a problem of ukraine, and not even the problem of europe, this is a global problem. in the fight against terror, is our joint efforts. we can win the terror, and we will win the terror, when we will be united. because we are not afraid. we are united. and the whole world now is demonstrating the strong solidarity with ukraine i want to thank all of you for that.

[applause] the other thing i want to ask from you -- not only be united the same way like you demonstrate on the united nations general assembly. the same way like you demonstrate in the united nations security council. the same way like you demonstrate in the g 20 meeting at brisbane, the same way like you demonstrate in the european union council. and solidarity, we have four all over the world, starting from the united states and canada and finishing with japan and australia. we need to demonstrate a solidarity with ukraine, and a very important thing, we need to believe in ukraine. because we are fighting for peace. i'm the president of peace. i'm strongly believe that there

is not existing be military submission of this problem. and we need to have a very strongly coordinated action to bring the peace, not only to my country, but to bring the peace in the world. again, this is the line of the front, when we are fighting. not only for our territory and integrity, independence, we are fighting for european security. we are fighting for european values. somebody said this is very expensive. to fight for peace. i think this is two complete with different concepts of the world. they measured expenses by price and so this is very expensive. we, in all civilized world's, are fighting for values.

money and values are completely different things. i think that if you are fighting for values, you win this battle. i'm absolutely sure. thank you. [applause] >> thank you, mr. president, for your moving speech. you have been in your former capacity as a member of parliament here in davos last year. you made a moving speech for the people in the square. thank you very much for the speech. you mentioned peace. given the escalating situation today in ukraine, and looking in the audience, there's only one major question. at the same time with iesco living situation, we see again some kind of normandy talks --

with the escalating situation, we see come -- some kind of normandy talks. what is your assessment, can you give us hope that this will be a new beginning of peaceful negotiations for the people, particularly in the donetsk region? >> thank you very much indeed for this question. in several minutes, we will start another session of the normandy format negotiations, with the minister of foreign affairs from ukraine, france, germany, and russia. our approach is very simple -- we have nothing to negotiate. everything is already fixed and signed. we have a means formats. we need immediately just a cease-fire and withdrawal the artillery -- heavy artillery weapons from the line.

what is the difference between the proposition of europe and ukraine, and of russia? from the first glance, both of us demanding for withdrawing the heavy artillery. the weirdo mending to withdraw it -- but we are demanding to withdraw it from the minsk agreement, russia's demanding to withdraw it from noah. at the present time, officially in milano, the russian delegation recognize the touchline. now they say they have a limited influence over the terrorists to withdraw from the touchline fixed in the minsk memorandum. the solution is for a simple. stop supply weapons. stop supply ammunition. withdraw the troops, close the border.

very simple peace plan. [applause] if you want to discuss something different i suggest you are not for peace, you are for war. we come at the same time guaranteed special elections and the special municipality in this region. we vote for the amnesty of those who have not made it criminal and killing the people. we present every form of the state guarantee for the peace process. what else can be done? and if, unfortunately, it has not happened, ladies and gentlemen, we should defend our territory. we should defend our country. but at the same time, we do not make any offense of operations, and do not make it any from the

fifth of september and the 19th of september. if you look at the map, on the ukraine and the troops who were attacked by offensive operations of russian troops and russians supported rebels, and at the same time, we're just defending our territory. and again, what we need to stop the aggressor -- unity and solidarity. when we rise up first, the question of sanctions. this is sanctions we demand not to make harmful for anybody in the world, including russia. we just want to have it on the table of negotiations, and make some pressure to fulfill all the obligations we take during the minsk process in the midst negotiations. very simple. what is the real purpose of some so-called strategic analysis to make ukraine weaker? to wait until the europe and the

whole world have a so-called ukrainian fatigue? this was miscalculation. the level of support we now have from the whole world and we fully feel it here in davos, the level of support is on the rising. we do not give them any tiny chance to use it as a provocation, as they have in previous wars. we demonstrate that we are a nation for peace. and minsk is the president of peace. another important things. they think that we would be completely exhausted by the war. because war is very expensive. which ukraine has not a very strong economy, paid this fully price. but at the same time, me as a

president, our new elected parliament in our to governments are strongly committed to the reform. we want to change the country. we want to build up an absolutely new country, with no corruption, and we already undertake very serious steps creating the anticorruption bureau, building up the independent system of the court and guaranteed the rule of law. we want to build up together, with our foreign partners and advisers. a new form of the investment climate, which would be protective investments. and having an opportunity to meet here with the potential investor, have a guaranteed. i want to thank these investors particularly the one sitting in the first row. he promised me in this year to invest $600 million in ukrainian economy, $400 million in ukrainian economy. this is the best way really, i

like to hear. am i right? [laughter] please, applause for the investor for ukraine. i think it will be very important. [applause] at the same time, think we need a very sophisticated program with the imf. on the 29th of january, i think we will have a finish of the new mission of the imf, and we will have a very ambitious program of reform. for that program, we need a financial pillow that can support the reforms. that would be created by the imf, that will be created with our partners based on our bilateral negotiations. again, we have a partner who has already confirmed their support from the united states and canada, and from japan. and by the way, also, we have a very positive signal from the swedish government, which we are also very pleased with them.

this is also the form of demonstration of solidarity and support. we thank you very much for that. but only for the solidarity of ukraine -- not only for the solidarity of ukraine, but the fact you believe in ukraine. [applause] >> mr. president, thank you. you mentioned it was a year full of distress. unfortunately, ukraine was always linked to private discussion. now we have the unique opportunity to change this point of view, to say to the people what happens now, today, and ukraine for sure that the security development. but at the same time, there's the development, and so my question is what is for you the most pressing reform to make all of these investments, which are now happening as soon as possible for the people in ukraine? >> first of all, i think this is very important that we provide the reform in one of the most

difficult periods of our history, during the time of war. we already launched the reform it. politicians preventing -- presenting reform of their lowering of the taxes. this is not reform. we are decisively cutting the budget expenditures. we are decisively shortening the bureaucratic apparatus. we are decisively already doing the distance realization of the budgets, giving more power to the region. i present to the constitutional reform for the process based on the experience of our polish colleague. we use a lot of advisers, and supporters from -- for the electorate government, from our stony and partners. from our anticorruption bureau,

from four countries of the european union and united states of america. we use the experience of singapore, who will share their experience with our into corruption bureau. we use the investment climate opportunity also from the singapore experience, from the georgia experience, from the european union experience. that demonstrate our decisiveness and changing -- in a real wish to change the country. another interesting characteristic -- one year ago when i was here in davos and our government, we have just wanting was speaking person. today, we also have one person who doesn't speak english. everybody else in our government speaks perfect english. [applause]

i think this would also be very symbolic. that we are ready to change the country. >> thank you, mr. president. my last question is -- there were a lot of offers to help you economically. i would like to learn from you what is your assessment? is it the right scale of support first, and would you like to expect particularly from the european union because there's been some talks about the supports? >> but we have now is a strong political support. the only leader of the nonmember state who has a several time opportunity to have a floor on the european union council. it was right in the day when we make special decision on sanctions, supporting ukraine and independence and territorial independence. economic support, and now this negotiation with the imf and our

partners including the imf is very important for us. defensive support again, we don't demand from anybody the lethal weapons. we have a very strong army to defend our territory. but defensive technology is also the things which we need because the only strong army can help us to keep the territory and the standing we do not provide offensive operations. so political, economic defensive, and moral support -- this is all for key ingredients for supporting ukraine. and for all four things, we already have a very strong message. i want to thank the audience because you represent herein call (202) 585-3880 davos -- herein call (202) 585-3880 in the

very near future, i'm optimistic. i think we can stop the war. when we stop the war, it would be absolutely a new, different country. when you feel yourself comfortable and happy together with a new ukrainian people. thank you. [applause] >> is to president, my last question -- you mentioned popular reforms. we all know the imf, for example, discussed and proposed subsidies for energy grid we know that his regard for the people, very unpopular particularly in this time. this reform is very interesting for the audience, particularly for the business audience. >> this is not only to rise up the energy, this is not a key issue of reforms. it divides new energy-saving

technology. we seriously cut the gas consumption. several years ago, ukraine consumed to 70 billion cubic meters of natural gas mainly supplied by russians. more than 50 billion cubic meters was supplied by russian. today, we reduced our conception 44. this is only the beginning of our way. i'm absolutely sure that within two years time, we will be absolutely energy independent from russia. we will build that now, and absolutely new way for receiving the norwegian and other european gas. we will have shale gas technology inside the country. i think that are made efforts to build up this clear, transparent energy market and reform of the energy sector, including electricity energy, nuclear energy, hydro energy -- the independent coal market will

help us, and of course, the gas consumption will help us to be absolutely energy independent, at least now i've said that it's the responsible policy, ukraine will lose russia's market for the national gas. >> thank you, mr. president. i think we achieved a lot in terms of trying to change the picture the people now have from ukraine. and you would like to have because we know that part of conflict is economically, part of the coverages security issue. but a new face of this conflict is the discussion about information. so you gave us the opportunity unfiltered, to get to know each other, to understand who is the president of ukraine, who is the man who leads the nation in very difficult times. i would like to say thank you on the half of the forum and the

community. and i wish you all the best for a nation, for your country, for your people to come as soon as possible to peaceful solutions on the best basis for welfare for your people and ukraine. so thank you very much. [applause] >> you're absolutely right. i think our unity is not only a social and economic model, but also information. when the european union are ready to discuss about the creation of a european russians begin channel to present an opportunity for the russian speaking viewers inside the european union to have an alternative one of you would be -- point of view would be absolutely important now in the battle for the brains of the european. truth is with us. because of that, i want to thank

all of the people here who are coming here. let me consider this presence, speaking with this audience as a form of support of ukraine. this is what ukraine really needs right now. thanks to all of you. [applause] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2014] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] >> today on c-span, "washington journal," is next, lie with your phone calls. then, -- live with your phone calls. then, coverage of the house. they consider a bill to cover taxpayer covered abortions. and representative steve israel on his role in the policy and communications committee.

and the president state of the union discussion. host: good morning, everyone on this thursday, january 22, 2014. president obama will continue on his tour today. after touting his economics proposal in idaho yesterday, he will take us a message to kansas today. the republicans will agree but say that the economy is not working for everyone. share your ideas with washington. what is the best way to grow the middle-class