Do you confirm the Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine? This was the single question on the ballot during the nationwide referendum on 1 December 1991 – 34 years ago. More than 90% of Ukrainians said “yes” to an independent Ukrainian state.

Crucially, every region supported independence, from Donetsk to Lviv, from Kyiv to Yalta. It was a powerful expression of unity, showing that the desire for a sovereign future was shared across the entire country.

The referendum not only confirmed Ukraine’s path but also accelerated the collapse of the Soviet Union. It demonstrated to the world that our independence was the clear and overwhelming will of the people – the independence we continue to defend today against Russia’s aggression.