Stepan Bandera, Ukrainian politician, one of the ideologists and theorists of the Ukrainian nationalist movement of the 20th century, head of the OUN (b) Provid (1909–1959)

Among the archival documents of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine regarding the figures of the Ukrainian national liberation movement, there are interesting statements, quotations, testimonies, reminiscences about their participation in the struggle for Ukraine’s statehood. Based on these materials, we can trace and assess the role of prominent Ukrainians in the creation of the state, their contribution to Ukraine's independence and struggle for its restoration.

“...Let's fight for a sovereign state, let's do our best for this, and not argue about who of us is more “sovereign”.

In the Ukrainian State, the Ukrainian people themselves will be sovereign and will create the form of this State, its name and government. But today we must fight the enemy – the russian-bolshevik enslavement, we must oppose it with all our forces, in all areas, in all possible forms. Everything should be done for the sake of liberation and revolutionary struggle in the Native Lands, as the main front, the basis of liberation and the legality of the actions of the current state center.

... Sovereignty cannot be subject to dispute at all. Sovereignty belongs only to the Ukrainian people, not to any center. Actions on its behalf have only a conditional value: all that corresponds to the will of the Ukrainian people, that most faithfully leads to the realization of its main goal – the Sovereign Unified State – will be accepted by the Ukrainian people and will be valid. Everything that contradicts this will be rejected and condemned”.

(BSA of the SZR of Ukraine. – F. 1. – Case 10876. – V. 1. – P. 379–381).