On 28 June, Ukraine celebrates Constitution Day.

On June 28, 1996, the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine adopted the first Constitution of the modern Ukrainian state. The Constitution consolidated the legal foundations of independent and sovereign Ukraine. The document incorporated the historical experience of the Ukrainian people, as well as the best modern global traditions.

In 1710, Pylyp Orlyk, the Hetman of Ukraine (Head of State), signed ‘The Covenants and Constitutions of the Laws and Freedoms of the Zaporizhzhia Army,’ a document that became known as the ‘Constitution of Pylyp Orlyk’ and is considered the first Constitution of the Ukrainian state (called at that time Zaporizhzhia – the Cossack State).

Another stage in the construction of the constitutional state was the approval by the Central Council of Ukraine, on 29 April 1918, of the Fundamental Law of the Ukrainian People's Republic (UPR) called ‘Statute of the system of government, rights and freedoms of the UPR’, and on 13 November 1918 by National Council of Ukraine - of the Provisional Constitution of the West Ukrainian Republic. It is worth noting that these documents were based on democratic standards that are now internationally recognised as the fundamental principles of state building.

Work on the creation of the Fundamental Law of modern Ukraine began immediately after the proclamation of Ukraine's Declaration of Independence in 1991 and involved the world's best experts and national professionals, resulting in the adoption of the Constitution of Ukraine by Parliament on 28 June 1996. The 1996 Constitution of Ukraine consolidated the fundamental principles of democracy, independence, human rights and fundamental freedoms. Our Constitution defines Ukraine as a state governed by the rule of law, based on the principles of respect for the individual and the inviolability of their rights and freedoms, the supremacy of law and the prohibition of any discrimination.

The adoption of the Fundamental Law of Ukraine was a starting point for a new era in the history of Ukraine, which ensured the stabilisation of the situation in the country.

Now, during the large-scale war that Russia continues against Ukraine, we are forced to defend our civilisational choice, we are fighting for the right to self-determination and independence, for the main characteristics defined in our Constitution. The Constitution proclaims the sovereignty of the Ukrainian state throughout its territory, the defence of which is the responsibility of the entire Ukrainian people.