The new union treaty should have been stopped based on the results of the referendum, which overwhelmingly supported the maintaining of the current federal system.

Huh? People voted for the NUT (heh).

"The referendum asked whether to approve a new Union Treaty between the republics, to replace the 1922 treaty that created the USSR. [...] The referendum's question was approved by nearly 80% of voters in all nine other republics that took part. However, the August coup attempt by hardliners of the Communist Party prevented the anticipated signing of the New Union Treaty that was due to take place the next day." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1991_Soviet_Union_referendum

People voted for the treaty in the referendum, hardline communists stopped the signing because they didn't like it.

[–] OurToothbrush@lemmy.ml 4 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

This was the text (translated):

Do you consider it necessary to preserve the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as a renewed federation of equal sovereign republics, in which the rights and freedoms of a person of any nationality will be fully guaranteed?

[–] Kusimulkku@lemm.ee 1 points 3 hours ago* (last edited 3 hours ago)

Yes, that renewed federation was what the New Union Treaty was supposed to bring about before being stopped. That's what they voted for.

Did you not read the article? It's right before that referendum text...