Translated with AI
On the 30th anniversary of the Constitution of Ukraine
This year, Ukraine celebrates the 30th anniversary of the adoption of its Constitution—the Basic Law of the state, adopted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on June 28, 1996. For any nation, a Constitution is not only a legal document but also a social contract defining the values of the state, human rights, and the principles of governance. For Ukraine today, the Constitution has acquired an even deeper meaning—it has become a symbol of the struggle for freedom, independence, and the right to independently determine one's future.
The history of Ukrainian statehood spans many centuries. The current Constitution was a logical continuation of the Ukrainian people's aspirations to build a democratic, legal, and independent state following the restoration of Ukraine's independence in 1991. Its adoption was one of the most important stages in the formation of modern Ukrainian statehood and definitively cemented the foundations of the country's constitutional order.
The Constitution of Ukraine proclaims the individual, their life, dignity, rights, and freedoms as the highest social value. It enshrines the principles of the rule of law, democracy, separation of powers, local self-government, protection of the rights of national minorities, and the equality of all citizens before the law, regardless of origin, language, nationality, or religion. These principles remain unchanged today.
Over the past three decades, Ukraine has undergone a complex process of political transformation, economic reform, and the development of democratic institutions. At the same time, the Ukrainian state has repeatedly faced serious challenges to its independence and territorial integrity.
The most severe test for the Ukrainian Constitution was the armed aggression of the Russian Federation. First, in 2014, the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, as well as parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, were illegally occupied. On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, becoming the largest war in Europe since World War II.
During the war, the provisions of the Ukrainian Constitution have acquired particular significance. The Ukrainian state continues to function in accordance with constitutional norms, despite constant missile strikes, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, and the grave consequences of the war. State authorities, the judicial system, local government, and law enforcement agencies continue to fulfill their duties, ensuring the functioning of the state even under martial law.
Today, millions of Ukrainians are defending more than just their country's territory. We are defending our constitutional right to live in an independent state, to independently determine our political future, and to preserve our own culture, language, and national identity. That is why Ukraine's struggle is also a struggle for the values enshrined in our Constitution.
The principle of respect for international law occupies a special place in the Basic Law. Ukraine consistently reaffirms its commitment to the Charter of the United Nations, the principles of sovereign equality of states, the inviolability of internationally recognized borders, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. These are the principles upon which the modern system of international relations is built.
For the people of Tajikistan, who lived through the tragic events of the 1990s, the value of peace, independence, national unity, and strong state institutions is well understood. This is why mutual respect for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of states remains a solid foundation for international cooperation.
Ukraine and Tajikistan have been united by decades of mutual respect and a desire to develop cooperation in various fields. Despite current international challenges, both countries continue to maintain constructive dialogue and develop economic and humanitarian ties.
The thirtieth anniversary of the Constitution of Ukraine is not only an occasion to recall the history of its adoption. It is an opportunity to once again recognize the significance of the Basic Law as the foundation of statehood, a guarantor of human rights, and a symbol of independence. Today, as the Ukrainian people continue to defend their right to live in a free and independent country, the Constitution remains the foundation that unites society, strengthens state institutions, and instills confidence in the future.
History has repeatedly proven that a state's strength is determined not only by its economic or military capabilities, but also by its commitment to its fundamental values. For Ukraine, these values remain freedom, dignity, democracy, the rule of law, and respect for the individual. These principles, enshrined in the Constitution thirty years ago, continue to shape the country's path today.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Tajikistan
In Allery Evdokimov
