Diplomatic eArchive

The modern building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Photo by: Pavlo Khomensky

Document Collections

All documents →

01Universals of the Central Council, Hetmanate Charters, Directorial Decrees, State Documents on Foreign Policy48 docs

02International Multilateral and Bilateral Negotiations, Treaties, and Agreements29 docs

03Activities of the Foreign Affairs Department, Structure, Orders148 docs

04Diplomatic passports112 docs

The Diplomatic Service of Ukraine is over 100 years old

The Diplomatic Mission of the Ukrainian People’s Republic. Vienna, 1920.

The diplomatic service of Ukraine was established in its most modern form during the Ukrainian Revolution of 1917–1921, and its history is inseparable from the history of Ukrainian statehood.

The first diplomats had a “supreme task” – to defend the newly gained state independence and sovereignty and to present the Ukrainian idea to the world. Their key priority was daily, focused work aimed at achieving recognition of Ukraine as an independent state and an equal partner in diplomatic relations.

The building of the Central Rada, 57 Volodymyrska Street (photo from open sources).

Ukraine had to fight for its right to full international legal personality, proving to the world not only its capacity as an international player but also its ability to care for its citizens abroad, conduct trade and economic relations, and learn to respond appropriately to the interest of foreign states in itself amid Bolshevik aggression, the final stage of World War I, and the struggle to overcome its consequences. This period also saw the displacement of a vast number of people (refugees, prisoners of war, emigrants, and re-emigrants) and material assets (both private and state property), as well as the non-recognition of Ukraine’s independence by many countries.

youtube.com

Mykhailo Hrushevsky (1866–1934) – Chairman of the Central Rada

Documents of State Importance Regarding Foreign Policy

Third Universal of the Ukrainian Central Rada

The legal basis for the establishment of the first Ukrainian foreign affairs agency arose with the adoption of the Third Universal of the Central Rada on November 20 (7), 1917. This act proclaimed the Ukrainian People’s Republic, initially in a federal union with the Russian Republic, which was to become a federation of “free and equal nations.” The leaders of the UPR took on the responsibility of uniting representatives of other state formations emerging from the ruins of the Russian Empire, participating in peace negotiations, and forming a federal government. They were supported by Georgian, Belarusian, and Don Cossack leaders.

View Documents

Proclamation of the Ukrainian People’s Republic on Sofia Square

Leaders of the Ukrainian People’s Republic: Mykhailo Hrushevskyi, Volodymyr Vynnychenko, Symon Petliura

The draft law on the creation of the General Secretariat of Foreign Affairs

The first state body in Ukraine in the field of foreign relations, the General Secretariat of Foreign Affairs within the General Secretariat of the Central Rada, was established on December 22, 1917. The office was headed by historian Oleksandr Shulhyn.

With the proclamation of the independence of the Ukrainian People’s Republic on January 9 (22), 1918, the General Secretariat was renamed the Council of People’s Ministers, and the General Secretariat of Foreign Affairs became the People’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

View Documents

Draft law on the creation of the General Secretariat for International Affairs

Oleksandr Shulhyn, General Secretary of Foreign Affairs

The Fourth Universal of the Central Rada

According to the Fourth Universal, adopted by the Central Rada on January 9 (22), 1918, the Ukrainian People’s Republic was granted the status of a “sovereign, independent, and free state of the Ukrainian people” and outlined the core principle of its foreign policy as the aspiration to live in peace and harmony with all neighboring countries.

View Documents

The Fourth Universal of the Central Rada

Proclamation of the Fourth Universal of the Central Rada

Leaders of the Ukrainian People’s Republic (UNR)

Diplomats about diplomacy

<p>Andriy Nikovskyi, <br /> Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Ukrainian People’s Republic (UPR)</p>

<p>Andriy Lvivskyi, <br /> Head of the Extraordinary Diplomatic Mission of the Ukrainian People’s Republic (UPR) in Poland, <br />Minister of Justice of the UPR, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UPR.</p>

Diplomatic eArchive

Public Portal – a platform that accumulates documents on the development of Ukraine’s diplomatic service, the activities of Ukrainian diplomatic missions and consular institutions, as well as foreign missions accredited in the Ukrainian People’s Republic, the Ukrainian State, the Ukrainian SSR, and Ukraine.

The portal aims to create a valuable digital resource that not only highlights the historical contributions of Ukrainian diplomats but also strengthens Ukraine’s commitment to transparency and integrity in foreign relations. This initiative plays a crucial role in the fight against disinformation and the strengthening of public trust.

The project was developed with the support of UNDP in Ukraine and funding from the Government of Japan.

Про проект

<p>Structure of the <strong>Diplomatic eArchive</strong></p>

01Universals of the Central Council, Hetmanate Charters, Directorial Decrees, State Documents on Foreign Policy48 docs 02International Multilateral and Bilateral Negotiations, Treaties, and Agreements29 docs 03Negotiations in Brest-Litovsk and the Brest Peace Treaty20 docs 04Negotiations in Kyiv with the RSFSR and Documents Signed During the Negotiations15 docs 05Activities of the Foreign Affairs Department, Structure, Orders148 docs 06Meetings of Ambassadors and Heads of Diplomatic Missions6 docs 07Bilateral Relations281 docs 08Diplomatic passports112 docs 09Diplomatic education, consular courses20 docs 10Diplomatic Missions105 docs 11Consular Institutions107 docs 12Honorary consuls8 docs