Between Independence and Federation: The Interplay of Foreign Policy and Statehood in Ukraine, 1917-1919

Popraw literówki: This article revisits Ukrainian political history from 1917–1919, a period of turmoil during which three different states arose in Kyiv in succession: the Ukrainian People’s Republic, the Ukrainian State (Hetmanate), and the Direactorate. Previous studies have generally discussed this period as part of the broader history of the Ukrainian national movement, portraying it in terms of the struggle to defend the independence proclaimed by the Fourth Universal (declaration) of January 1918 against foreign intervention. In contrast, this article argues that Ukraine’s political status was still undecided in January 1918. Even after the Fourth Universal, the prospect of Ukraine as an autonomous part of a Russian or East European federation or confederation remained one of the goals pursued by Ukrainian activists. Importantly, the evolution of visions for Ukraine’s state system was shaped to a considerable degree by the interests of foreign actors. Because they lacked sufficient military strength, all Ukrainian states established during this period depended on outside assistance for their survival. This study examines the close interrelationship between Ukraine’s choices regarding its future political status (independence or federation) and its ongoing foreign policy.