In 1991, Canada and Poland became the first nations to recognize a sovereign Ukraine
Following a historic national referendum, Canada and Poland became the first international powers to officially recognize Ukraine's independence, triggering a global shift that signaled the final collapse of the Soviet Union.
On December 2, 1991, Canada and Poland made history by becoming the first nations to recognize Ukraine as a sovereign state. This bold diplomatic move came just one day after over 90 percent of Ukrainians voted for independence in a national referendum. Canada's swift action was driven largely by its massive Ukrainian diaspora, which remains one of the largest in the world today.
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