Address of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Andriy Parubiy on the occasion of the twenty-sixth anniversary of the All-Ukrainian referendum 1991
My dear compatriots!
Today, 1 December, we celebrate 26 years since the day of the All-Ukrainian referendum in 1991. This is a fundamental milestone in Ukrainian statehood. This historic day has shown that the Ukrainian people are striving for the restoration of statehood that they want to go their own way of development and build their own future.
In fact, the Independence of Ukraine, proclaimed by the Fourth Universal of the Ukrainian Central Rada in January 1918, was confirmed and revived by the decision of the All-Ukrainian referendum on 1 December, 1991. Over ninety percent of the citizens who participated in the referendum that day, voted for Independence of Ukraine.
During the referendum on 1 December, 1991, the nation, which they wanted to redeem “the only Soviet people”, firmly declared to the whole world that it exists, that it is Ukrainian and that it is free. Voting in the referendum for Independence was a choice of freedom and a final withdrawal from the captivity of the Soviet empire.
The people chose a free and dignified life - Independence of Ukraine, in the struggle for which hundreds of thousands of best sons and daughters of all time fought. An independent state is, first and foremost, the free development, protection and security of every citizen. And we got this Independence in 1991.
We deeply congratulate and thank Ukrainian soldiers who at the cost of their own health and life defend our independent state on the fronts of the latest Russian-Ukrainian war.
Glory to Ukraine!