Declaration of Independence of Ukraine

Ukraine

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The Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine (Ukrainian: Акт проголошення незалежності України) was adopted by the Ukrainian parliament on August 24, 1991. The Act established Ukraine as an independent, democratic state.

The Act was adopted in the time when the conservative Communist leaders of the Soviet Union committed a coup attempting to restore the Communist party control over the country. In response, the parliament of Ukraine on its special session overwhelmingly approved the Act of Declaration. The Act was passed by 321 votes in favor, with 2 votes against, and 6 abstain. The author of the text was Levko Lukyanenko.

The same day, August 24, the parliament called for a referendum on support of the Declaration of Independence. The proposition for calling the national referendum came joinly from the majority leader Oleksandr Moroz, and the opposition leader Ihor Yukhnovsky.

In the referendum on December 1, 1991, the people of Ukraine expressed widespread support for the Act of Declaration of Independence, with more than 90% votes in favor. Shortly after, the independence of Ukraine was recognized worldwide.

24th of August is celebrated in Ukraine as Independence Day.

“	Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine In view of the mortal danger surrounding Ukraine in connection with the state coup in the USSR on August 19, 1991, Continuing the thousand-year tradition of state development in Ukraine, Proceeding from the right of a nation to self-determination in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other international legal documents, and Implementing the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic solemnly declares Independence of Ukraine and creation of the independent Ukrainian state - UKRAINE. The territory of Ukraine is indivisible and inviolable. From this day forward, the Constitution and laws of Ukraine only are valid on the territory of Ukraine. This act becomes effective at the moment of its approval.	”
—VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINE, August 24, 1991

• (Ukrainian) Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine – Verkhovna Rada website
• (English) Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine – Verkhovna Rada website
• (English) Act of Declaration of the Independence of Ukraine – The Ukrainian Weekly, translation by The Ukrainian Weekly
• (English) Declaration of Independence of Ukraine – The Windsor Viter, Volume 12, Number 1, July, 2001 Part 2, translation by Andrew Gregorovich
• (Ukrainian) Great Saturday -- interview with a writer and parliament deputy Stepan Pushyk on the events of August 24, 1991.