UWC salutes 33rd anniversary of Ukrainian independence referendum

Today, on December 1, 2024, the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) joins Ukraine and all Ukrainians in celebrating the 33rd anniversary of the nationwide referendum that ushered in a break from the shackles of the Soviet Union. 

Taking place on December 1, 1991, more than 92 percent of voters approved their legislature’s August declaration of independence, including the electorate on the Crimean Peninsula with 54 percent approval, followed by 57 percent of approvals in Sevastopol where Russia’s Black Sea fleet is still based. 

Mere days later, the Soviet Union would dissolve. 

On this memorable day 33 years ago, the nationwide Ukrainian referendum became a powerful, clear, unambiguous, and indisputable manifestation of the will of the people of Ukraine to establish a free and independent sovereign Ukrainian state. This result confirmed the Declaration of Independence of Ukraine, adopted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on August 24, 1991, and was decisive for the international community’s recognition of Ukraine. 

The Ukrainian diaspora played a special role in the rebirth of a nation state. From December 2, 1991, and onwards, through its efforts, Ukraine was globally recognized as an independent state with Poland and Canada being the first two countries to grant recognition to newly independent Ukraine.

Despite Moscow’s official recognition of a free Ukraine, the Russian political elites never accepted the Ukrainian people’s choice. Till the very last moment in 1991, the Russian leaders did not take Ukraine’s ambitions for independence seriously and believed those had been just political speculations. Consequently, the referendum’s outcome sent shockwaves toward Moscow, which dreamed of drawing Kyiv into a quasi “renewed union.” 

Still and until this day, Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin’s official ideological doctrine claims that “Ukraine is a historically illegitimate artificial state” and that “Ukrainians are actually Russians.” 

Since the start of Russia’s brutal and unprovoked full-scale invasion in February 2022, Moscow’s rhetoric toward Ukraine has become even more openly genocidal. Putin has declared entire Ukrainian regions to be “historically Russian lands” and set to eradicate Ukrainian identity in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories.  

“Those who are currently calling for a ceasefire in Ukraine must take the genocidal nature of Russia’s invasion into account. Putin has made it perfectly clear that he intends to wipe Ukraine off the map of Europe,” said UWC President Paul Grod. 

“He views Ukraine’s very existence as an intolerable threat to Russia itself and is prepared to pay almost any price to remove this threat by extinguishing Ukrainian statehood. His hardline stance is entirely in line with centuries of Russian imperial policy,” Grod said. 

As the brave Ukrainian defenders continue their fight for the very existence of the Ukrainian nation, we once again call on the international community to continue standing strong with Ukraine. 

Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Heroes!