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Referendums in Ukraine

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Referendums in Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Constitution, are one of the lawful forms of expression of people's will.

Referendums are organized by population initiative of no less than 3 million voters. The referendums are designated by either the Parliament or the President. Any change to the territory of Ukraine can be resolved solely by a national referendum.

Referendum of independence, 1991

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Main article: 1991 Ukrainian independence referendum
See also: 1991 Transcarpathian general regional referendum

On December 1, 1991, a referendum, initiated by parliament of Ukraine, took place. On August 26, 1991, the parliament adopted the Declaration of Independence of Ukraine, and the referendum was called with a question: "Do you support the Declaration of Independence of Ukraine". Of registered voters, 84.18% participated in the referendum, and 90.32% of them answered "Yes".

Referendum of Kuchma, 2000

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Main article: 2000 Ukrainian referendum

On April 16, 2000, an All-Ukrainian referendum took place, which was called by the President Kuchma upon population initiative. Four questions were brought up:

  • On conditions for dissolution of the parliament
  • On immunity of a deputy
  • On decrease of the number of parliament deputies
  • On introduction of two-chamber parliament

The majority of citizens answered "Yes" on all four questions.

Referendums on NATO and Common Economic Space

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In December 2006, the Central Electoral Committee of Ukraine recognized as valid more than 3 million voters' signatures which were collected in the call for the Referendum on Ukraine joining NATO, and for the Referendum on Ukraine joining Common Economic Space (with Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan). The Committee officially informed the President of Ukraine of their decision. It's expected that the President or the Parliament should schedule the referendums. No financing was reserved for the organization of referendums in 2007 State Budget of Ukraine. The signature collection in the call for the referendum was organized by the United Social Democratic Party of Ukraine. [1].

A Gallup poll conducted in October 2008 showed that 43% of Ukrainians associated NATO as a threat to their country, while only 15% associated it with protection.[1] A November 2009 poll by Ukrainian Project System relieved 40.1% of Ukrainians polled said the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) was the best global security group for Ukraine to be a part of and 33.9% of the respondents supported Ukraine's full membership in CSTO; more than 36% of the respondents of the poll said that Ukraine should remain neutral and only 12.5% supported Ukraine's accession to NATO.[2] A 2009 Gallup poll showed that 40% of Ukrainian adults associate NATO with "Threat" and 17% with "Protection".[3] According to a poll by Razumkov Center in March 2011 20.6% on average across Ukraine considered NATO a threat; this number was 51% in Crimea.[4] A 2013 Gallup poll showed that 29% associated NATO with "Threat" and 17% with "Protection"; 44% viewed it as neither.[5]

In February 2014, President Yanukovych fled Ukraine amid the Euromaidan uprising. As a result of this revolution, the interim Yatsenyuk Government came to power in Ukraine.[6] The Yatsenyuk Government initially stated it did not have the intention of making Ukraine a member of NATO. However, the start of the Russo-Ukrainian War caused many Ukrainians to change their views of NATO: polls from the middle of 2014 until 2016 showed that the majority of Ukrainians supported NATO membership.[7][8][9] Following parliamentary elections in October 2014, the new government made joining NATO a priority.[10] On 29 December 2014 Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko (elected president on 25 May 2014)[11] vowed to hold a referendum on joining NATO.[12]

NATO officials vowed support for Ukraine and worked to downplay tensions between the bloc and Russia, which refused to recognize the impeachment of Yanukovych or the Yatsenyuk Government.[13] In late February 2014, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Secretary General of NATO, reaffirmed that NATO membership is still an option for Ukraine.[14]

Western Ukraine has always been significantly more pro-NATO than the rest of the country;[15][16][17] Eastern Ukraine is far more anti-NATO and pro-Russia than the rest of Ukraine.[17][5]

Popular support in Ukraine for NATO membership since 2000
2020–2023
Date Opinion Poll agency
For Against
February 2024 77% 5% International Republican Institute & Rating[18]
November 2023 77% 5% Rating[19]
September 2023 79% 5% International Republican Institute[20]
July 2023 83% 6% Rating[21]
May 2023 89% 3% Kyiv International Institute of Sociology[22]
February 2023 82% 3% International Republican Institute & Rating[23]
January 2023 86% National Democratic Institute[24]
January 2023 86% 3% Rating[25]
October 2022 83% 4% Rating[26]
July 2022 71% 7% Kyiv International Institute of Sociology[27]
June 2022 76% 10% Rating[28]
June 2022 72% 7% International Republican Institute & Rating[29]
April 2022 59% 14% International Republican Institute & Rating[30]
April 2022 68% 23% Rating[31]
March 2022 72% 12% Rating[32]
January 2022 64% 17% Ukrainian Institute of the Future[33]
December 2021 59.2% 28.1% Kyiv International Institute of Sociology[34]
August 2021 54% 35% Rating[35]
June 2021 47.8% 24.3% Kyiv International Institute of Sociology[36]
February 2020 43.5% 31.3% Kyiv International Institute of Sociology[37]
January 2020 49.8% 29.8% Razumkov Centre[38]
2014–2019
Date Opinion Poll agency
For Against
June 2019 53% 29% Rating[39]
September 2018 45% 31% International Republican Institute & Rating[40]
September 2018 46.3% 31.6% Razumkov Centre[41]
March 2018 43% 33% International Republican Institute & Rating[42]
December 2017 37% 26% International Republican Institute & Rating[43]
September 2017 45% 27% Kyiv International Institute of Sociology[44]
June 2017 40% 27% International Republican Institute & Rating[45]
April 2017 46% 27% International Republican Institute & Rating[46]
December 2016 71% 23% Democratic Initiatives Foundation & Razumkov Centre[47]
September 2016 39% 31% Kyiv International Institute of Sociology[48]
June 2016 39% 32% Rating[49]
May 2016 44% 38% Kyiv International Institute of Sociology[50]
March 2016 45% 30% Rating[51]
January 2016 47% 31% Rating[9]
December 2015 75% 11% Democratic Initiatives Foundation[52]
July 2015 63.9% 28.5% Democratic Initiatives Foundation & Razumkov Centre[53]
June 2015 53% 32% Pew Research Center[54]
March 2015 43.3% 33.4% Kyiv International Institute of Sociology[55]
November 2014 51% 25% Rating[8]
October 2014 53% 34% Gorshenin Institute[7]
July 2014 44% 34% Rating[56]
June 2014 47% 36% Gorshenin Institute[57]
June 2014 41% 40% Razumkov Centre[58]
May 2014 41% 40% Democratic Initiatives Foundation & Razumkov Centre[59]
May 2014 37% 42% Razumkov Centre[60]
April 2014 36% 48% Razumkov Centre[61]
March 2014 44% 47% GfK[62]
2000–2013
Date Opinion Poll agency
For Against
October 2013 20% 66% Rating[63]
December 2012 15% 60% Democratic Initiative Foundation[64]
October 2012 19% 66% Rating[65]
July 2012 17% 70% Rating[16]
April 2012 15% 62% Democratic Initiative Foundation[66]
February 2012 20% 70% Rating[16]
April 2011 25% 60% IFAK Ukraine[67]
January 2011 24% 70% Rating[16]
December 2009 21% 60% Democratic Initiative Foundation[68]
April 2009 21% 57% FOM-Ukraine[69][70]
June 2002 32% 32.2% Razumkov Centre[71]
November 2000 30% 40% Institute of Public Affairs, Poland[72]


On 29 August 2015, Baturyn Andrii posted an electronic petition No.22/000052 [73] to the president of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko requesting to run a referendum to join NATO. Petition achieved required 25 000 of votes to be considered. President reply mentions that "One of the main priorities of Ukraine's foreign policy is to deepen cooperation with NATO to achieve the criteria required for membership in this organization. Today we carry out security sector reform in Ukraine to reach NATO standards and to strengthen the country's defense system, which is necessary to counter Russian aggression. Once Ukraine fulfills all the necessary criteria to join the Alliance, final decision on this important issue will be approved by the Ukrainian people in a referendum".[74]

In February 2017, President Poroshenko announced a referendum (given polls that show 54 percent of Ukrainians favor such a move) to be held during his presidency.[75][76]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Ukrainians May Oppose President’s Pro-Western Goals Gallup Retrieved on August 26, 2009
  2. ^ Poll: over 40 percent of Ukrainians prefer Collective Security Treaty Organization, 12.5 percent favor NATO, Kyiv Post (November 26, 2009)
  3. ^ Ukrainians Likely Support Move Away From NATO, Gallup (April 2, 2010)
  4. ^ Poll: Most Crimean residents consider Ukraine their motherland, Kyiv Post (11 April 2011)
  5. ^ a b Before Crisis, Ukrainians More Likely to See NATO as a Threat, Gallup (14 March 2014)
  6. ^ Maidan nominates Yatseniuk for prime minister, Interfax-Ukraine (26 February 2014)
    Ukrainian parliament endorses new cabinet, Interfax-Ukraine (27 February 2014)
  7. ^ a b Nearly 40% of Ukrainians ready to demonstrate if authorities do not fulfil promises, ITAR-TASS (October 22, 2014)
  8. ^ a b (in Ukrainian) Accession to the EU support almost two-thirds of Ukrainians, 51% - for joining NATO - opinion poll 24 (TV channel) (20/11/14)
  9. ^ a b Majority of Ukrainians would favor Ukraine membership in EU and NATO – poll, UNIAN (4 February 2016)
  10. ^ "New Ukraine Coalition Agreed, Sets NATO As Priority". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 2014-11-22. Retrieved 2014-11-22.
  11. ^ "Ukraine talks set to open without pro-Russian separatists". The Washington Post. 14 May 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
    "Ukraine elections: Runners and risks". BBC News. 22 May 2014. Archived from the original on 27 May 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
    "Q&A: Ukraine presidential election". BBC News. 7 February 2010. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
    "Poroshenko wins presidential election with 54.7% of vote – CEC". Radio Ukraine International. 29 May 2014. Archived from the original on 29 May 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
    Внеочередные выборы Президента Украины [Results election of Ukrainian president] (in Russian). Телеграф. 29 May 2014. Archived from the original on 29 May 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
    "New Ukrainian president will be elected for 5-year term – Constitutional Court". Interfax-Ukraine. 16 May 2014. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  12. ^ http://www.euronews.com/2014/12/30/new-year-new-hope-as-ukraine-paves-way-for-nato-membership/, Euronews (30 December 2014)
  13. ^ "NATO commander plays down tension with Russia over Ukraine". Reuters. 27 February 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  14. ^ "Door to NATO remains open for Ukraine". Euronews. 26 February 2014. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  15. ^ Endgame in NATO's Enlargement: The Baltic States and Ukraine by Yaroslav Bilinsky, 1999, Greenwood Press, ISBN 0-275-96363-2/ISBN 978-0-275-96363-7, page 25
  16. ^ a b c d The language question, the results of recent research in 2012 Archived 9 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine, RATING (25 May 2012)
  17. ^ a b Ukrainians supporting NATO membership in minority – poll, Interfax-Ukraine (14 May 2014)
  18. ^ ALL UKRAINIAN SURVEY: FEBRUARY 2024
  19. ^ TWENTY-FIFTH NATIONAL SURVEY: DYNAMICS OF UKRAINIANS' ATTITUDES TOWARDS INTERNATIONAL UNIONS (NOVEMBER 22-23, 2023)
  20. ^ National Survey of Ukraine, September 2023
  21. ^ SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL UNIONS: SURVEY IN UKRAINE AND EUROPE (JULY 4-10, 2023)
  22. ^ ATTITUDE TOWARDS UKRAINE'S ACCESSION TO NATO AND SECURITY GUARANTEES
  23. ^ NATIONAL SURVEY OF UKRAINE (IRI): FEBRUARY 2023
  24. ^ OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FACING UKRAINE’S DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION
  25. ^ TWENTIETH NATIONAL POLL. FOREIGN POLICY MOODS (JANUARY 14-16, 2023)
  26. ^ FOREIGN POLICY ORIENTATIONS OF THE UKRAINIANS IN DYNAMICS (OCTOBER 1-2, 2022)
  27. ^ GEOPOLITICAL ORIENTATIONS OF RESIDENTS OF UKRAINE: RESULTS OF A TELEPHONE SURVEY CONDUCTED ON JULY 6-20, 2022
  28. ^ THIRTEENTH NATIONAL SURVEY: FOREIGN POLICY ORIENTATIONS (JUNE 18-19, 2022)
  29. ^ IRI NATIONAL SURVEY: PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY OF RESIDENTS OF UKRAINE (JUNE 2022)
  30. ^ IRI NATIONAL SURVEY: PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY OF RESIDENTS OF UKRAINE (JUNE 2022)
  31. ^ THE SEVENTH NATIONAL POLL: UKRAINE DURING THE WAR (MARCH 30-31, 2022)
  32. ^ THE FOURTH NATIONAL POLL OF UKRAINIANS DURING THE WAR (MARCH 12-13, 2022)
  33. ^ Are Ukrainians ready for a great war: the results of a sociological study, (January 25 2022)
  34. ^ ATTITUDE TOWARDS UKRAINE'S ACCESSION TO THE EU AND NATO, (December 24 2021)
  35. ^ "ПОКОЛІННЯ НЕЗАЛЕЖНОСТІ: ЦІННОСТІ ТА МОТИВАЦІЇ". ratinggroup.ua.
  36. ^ GEOPOLITICAL ORIENTATIONS OF RESIDENTS OF UKRAINE: JUNE 2021
  37. ^ GEOPOLITICAL ORIENTATIONS OF RESIDENTS OF UKRAINE: JUNE 2021
  38. ^ Рівень підтримки громадянами вступу України до ЄС та НАТО (січень 2020р. соціологія)
  39. ^ Poll: NATO support grows in Ukraine, reaches 53 percent, Kyiv Post (9 July 2019)
  40. ^ SOCIAL AND POLITICAL MOODS OF UKRAINIANS: IRI POLL
  41. ^ [https://razumkov.org.ua/uploads/socio/2018_Press_release_september.pdf Соціально політична ситуація в Україні]
  42. ^ SOCIAL AND POLITICAL MOODS OF UKRAINIANS: IRI POLL
  43. ^ SOCIAL AND POLITICAL MOODS OF UKRAINIANS: IRI POLL
  44. ^ GEOPOLITICAL ORIENTATIONS OF THE RESIDENTS OF UKRAINE: SEPTEMBER 2017
  45. ^ SOCIAL AND POLITICAL MOODS OF UKRAINIANS: IRI POLL
  46. ^ SOCIAL AND POLITICAL MOODS OF UKRAINIANS: IRI POLL
  47. ^ Most Ukrainians favor joining NATO, Interfax-Ukraine (28 December 2016)
    (in Ukrainian) Two third Ukrainian would vote for joining NATO - survey, Ukrainska Pravda (28 December 2016)
  48. ^ (in Ukrainian) Most Ukrainian want the EU - poll KIIS, Ukrainska Pravda (25 October 2016)
  49. ^ (in Ukrainian) Ukrainians have become skeptical attitude to joining NATO, Ukrainska Pravda (11 July 2016)
  50. ^ SOCIO-POLITICAL ATTITUDES OF THE RESIDENTS OF UKRAINE AND SUPPORT RATING FOR PARTIES AND POLITICAL LEADERS: MAY- JUNE, 2016
  51. ^ Less than half of Ukrainians support NATO membership, Interfax-Ukraine (18 April 2016)
  52. ^ "Більшість українців хоче в НАТО, - соцопитування". Espreso TV. 2008-06-17. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  53. ^ "Кому більше довіряють українці: владі, громадськості, ЗМІ..?". www.dif.org.ua (in Ukrainian). 3 August 2015.
  54. ^ NATO publics blame Russia for Ukrainian Crisis, but reluctant to provide military aid, Pew Research Center (10 June 2015)
  55. ^ (in Ukrainian) About half of Ukrainian for accession to the EU and NATO - poll , Korrespondent.net (26 March 2015)
  56. ^ (in Ukrainian) Almost half of the Ukrainian wants to join NATO - poll, TVi (22 July 2014)
  57. ^ Over 60% of Ukrainians want accession to EU, Ukrinform (17 June 2014)
    (in Ukrainian) Because of Russia almost half of all Ukrainians want to join NATO, Ukrainska Pravda (17 June 2014)
    (in Ukrainian) Україна після революції: українці хочуть у Європу та НАТО і вимагають повної люстрації влади
  58. ^ "Analyst: "Spend less than 2% of GDP on" defense "we can afford only if join NATO"". The Day (Kyiv) (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2023-08-04.
    "Соціологи зафіксували максимальний рівень підтримки ідеї членства України в НАТО" [Sociologists have recorded the highest level of support for the idea of Ukraine's membership in NATO]. UNIAN (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  59. ^ (in Ukrainian) "The attitude of citizens to join NATO and other security". dif.org.ua. 1 July 2014.
  60. ^ (in Ukrainian) Результати соціологічного дослідження «Зовнішньополітичні орієнтації громадян України», Razumkov Center (13 May 2014)
  61. ^ Ukrainians supporting NATO membership in minority - poll, Interfax-Ukraine (14 May 2014)
  62. ^ (in Ukrainian) Most Ukrainian happy to deal with the EU, but are not ready for NATO membership - poll, UNIAN (22 March 2014)
    (in Ukrainian) "1 +1" researched Ukrainian sentiment towards the EU, NATO, Russia, and Ukraine's new government, GfK Ukraine (22 March 2014)
    (in Ukrainian) "1 + 1" explored the Ukrainian sentiment towards the EU, NATO, Russia and the new government of Ukraine, Televiziyna Sluzhba Novyn (March 22, 2014)
  63. ^ (in Ukrainian) "The majority of Ukrainians oppose NATO membership - poll". nbnews.com.ua (in Ukrainian). 17 October 2013.
  64. ^ Poll: Almost half of Ukrainians back Ukraine's accession to EU, Kyiv Post (10 January 2012)
    (in Ukrainian) Майже половина українців хочуть в ЄС, трохи менше - в Митний союз Almost half of Ukrainian want the EU, a little less - the Customs Union, Ukrainska Pravda (10 January 2013)
    (in Ukrainian) "EU and Customs Union? Where citizens want to go? - A national survey (21 to December 24, 2012)". www.dif.org.ua (in Ukrainian).
  65. ^ (in Russian) "Ukrainians are less willing to NATO - poll". news.liga.net (in Russian). 27 December 2012.
  66. ^ (in Ukrainian) Poll: Only 15% of Ukrainian citizens see their country in NATO 24 (TV channel) (17.05.12)
  67. ^ "DW-Trend: The majority of Ukrainians - against joining NATO". Deutsche Welle. 24 May 2011.
  68. ^ "Ukrainians want to enter EU, not NATO, poll shows". RIA Novosti. 2 March 2010.
  69. ^ "Europe or Russia? Whom will Ukraine Choose?". www.theworldreporter.com. 21 October 2011.
  70. ^ FOM-Ukraine April 2009 survey, FOM-Ukraine, Retrieved on 4 June 2009
  71. ^ NATO-Ukraine relations In the public focus, Razumkov Centre, 17-25 June 2002 (page 55)
  72. ^ Polska–Ukraina wzajemny wizerunek, Institute of Public Affairs, Poland, 2001
  73. ^ "Electronic petitions to the president of Ukraine. "Joining NATO referendum" (replied). Petition text (A.S.Baturyn)". 29 August 2015.[permanent dead link]
  74. ^ "Electronic petitions to the president of Ukraine. "Joining NATO referendum" (replied). President's reply". 29 August 2015.[permanent dead link]
  75. ^ "Ukraine's Poroshenko plans referendum on NATO membership: German media. Reuters". Reuters. 1 February 2017.
  76. ^ "Ukraine's Petro Poroshenko 'will hold referendum' on Nato membership. Telegraph". 2 February 2017.
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