Today marks exactly 30 years since the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine. The historic document was approved by the Verkhovna Rada on July 16, 1990. The Declaration of State Sovereignty was a natural consequence of the second national revolution in Ukraine in the twentieth century. The document reflected the centuries-old aspirations of Ukrainians for independent political life.
Sovereignty is a key attribute of any state. Therefore, it is difficult to overestimate the significance of the document adopted 30 years ago. The declaration on July 16 became a precondition for the full restoration of Ukraine’s independence.
It is noteworthy that, in contrast to the current Constitution, the document adopted 30 years ago clearly defined the national character of Ukrainian statehood. The basis of the sovereignty of our country was proclaimed the right of the Ukrainian Nation to self-determination. Ukraine’s economic independence, subjectivity in the international arena, the right to its own Armed Forces, and the introduction of Ukrainian citizenship were declared.
The process of establishing Ukraine’s state sovereignty continues to this day. It is not enough to declare independence, it must be won. For three decades, our state has been constantly faced with attempts to dictate from outside, the imposition of someone else’s will.
Simultaneously with the beginning of the Russian invasion, Ukrainian sovereignty was in mortal danger. Having failed to achieve the expected success at the front, in recent years the enemy has relied on the fifth column and invertebrate power. Under the guise of “peace”, Moscow is forcing Ukrainians to renounce sovereignty through the implementation of the so-called Minsk agreements. Surrender under such a scenario will mean not just a defeat, but the beginning of the constitutional dismantling of our state. The current government is betraying national interests, showing helplessness in the face of Moscow’s pressure.
The coming years will be crucial for the state independence of Ukraine. Ukrainians will either finally assert the sovereignty of the Motherland in the difficult struggle or will be doomed to a new national enslavement.
I believe that, despite all obstacles, we will be able to complete the long-term process of asserting the sovereignty of our state. It is our duty to history. Its implementation requires uncompromising confrontation with Ukraine’s external and internal enemies.