Bilateral diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Russia in 1918

Abstract

This scholarly article examines Ukrainian-Russian relations following the signing of the Brest Peace Treaty in February 1918, which marked a pivotal milestone in the development of the foreign policy of the Ukrainian People's Republic. The focus is placed on the transformation of political and diplomatic dialogue between the Ukrainian state and Soviet Russia in the context of a shifting geopolitical landscape, shaped by Ukraine's withdrawal from World War I and the conclusion of peace with the Central Powers. The study analyzes the main directions of Ukraine's foreign policy strategy after the Brest agreements, particularly efforts to secure international recognition, strengthen sovereignty, and neutralize the threat posed by bolshevik russia.

The purpose of the article is to analyze the features of Ukrainian-Russian relations in 1918, in particular diplomatic negotiations between the Ukrainian state and Bolshevik Russia. The methodological basis of the work is the principle of historicism, which involves the analysis of events in the context of a specific historical era, taking into account political, social and international factors that influenced the formation of Ukrainian-Russian relations.

The negotiation process between the governments of the Ukrainian state and soviet russia is examined, with key contradictions identified that hindered the establishment of stable interstate dialogue despite formal efforts to resolve the conflict. Particular attention is given to the analysis of diplomatic initiatives, the nature of official correspondence, and the content of notes and memoranda that reveal the actual positions of both parties. The role of third countries – primarily Germany and Austria-Hungary – in shaping political influence over both sides of the negotiation process is also highlighted.

It is concluded that the negotiation process revealed a deliberate and destructive tactic on the part of the bolsheviks, who had no genuine intention of reaching a real compromise. The actual policy of soviet russia was oriented toward armed intervention in Ukrainian affairs. The study contributes to the clarification and systematization of the impact of the 1918 Brest-Litovsk agreements on the nature of Ukrainian-Russian relations during the period of the Ukrainian national liberation struggle.