Eighteen years ago, 90.32 percent of Ukrainians, in response to the question, “Do you support the Declaration of Ukrainian Independence?” said a resolute yes.
Since the date of proclamation of this declaration by the Supreme Council [of the Ukrainian SSR] — Aug 24, 1991 — and until December 1, no country recognized this status of Ukraine. Everybody remembered that during a referendum held on March 17 that same year Ukrainians supported preservation of the Soviet Union. Therefore, to reaffirm its independence, Ukraine — then still a Soviet republic — had to hold its own referendum. After Dec. 1, 1991, fifty-seven countries recognized Ukraine within one month.
Today, 18 years later, is Ukraine really an independent nation-state? If such a referendum were held now, its independence would be supported by 52 percent of the population, same as during a poll held last year. Twenty-five percent would vote against (compared to 26% last year). Proceeding from the findings of a poll carried out by the Razumkov Center (20-28 July, 2009), independence exponents constitute a majority in every region: 86% in the west of Ukraine (compared to 4% opposed to it); 52% in the central regions (25% against); 41% in the east (35% against); 36% in the south (32% against). The poll involved 2,006 respondents aged over 18, in all regions of Ukraine (with up to 2.3% theoretical margin of error).
These findings are proof that the Ukrainian in the street is either unaware of Ukrainian sovereignty (in other words, s/he has no way to influence the political process) or does not feel protected by the state. Ukrainian politicians have long been far too busy protecting their own corporate interests, as evidenced by both the domestic and foreign policy, with Ukraine getting increasingly dependent on the developed countries economically — and consequently, politically.
Getting back to the referendum, we mustn’t forget that Ukraine was made independent by its people. Those who say today they are opposed to Ukrainian independence are refuting their belief in the possibility of changing something for the better. One must remember that everything depends on us because we, the citizens of Ukraine, elect our political power.
