Political disagreements and external threats: why the unification of the Ukrainian People's Republic and the West Ukrainian People's Republic failed.

The history of Ukraine in the early 20th century is filled with dramatic events and pivotal decisions that shaped the future of Ukrainian statehood. This historical episode vividly illustrates both the Ukrainian people's desire for unity and the complex internal and external factors that hindered the realization of this goal.

As a result of the revolution in Russia and the disintegration of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, two Ukrainian states emerged: the Ukrainian People's Republic (UPR) and the West Ukrainian People's Republic (WUPR). Despite their common aim of Ukrainian independence, significant disagreements existed between them.

Political and Social Differences

Political orientations: The UPR, led by figures like Symon Petliura and Volodymyr Vynnychenko, focused on social issues and the rights of national minorities. Meanwhile, the WUPR, headed by representatives of the Ukrainian aristocracy and intelligentsia, concentrated on national issues. These differences in political priorities resulted in varying approaches to governance and state development.

Social component: The social base of the UPR was predominantly peasant, which limited its ability to implement state initiatives. In contrast, the WUPR had more experienced politicians with parliamentary backgrounds, allowing them to respond to contemporary challenges more effectively.

Economic Factors

One of the key disagreements between the states was land reform. The UPR sought to abolish private land ownership, which triggered a negative response among the population in the western regions, where private property was considered sacred. This became one of the factors complicating unification.

Military Threats and Foreign Policy

Both republics faced external threats: for the UPR, it was the forces of the White movement and the Red Army, while the WUPR fought against Polish and Romanian troops. This led each republic to seek its own allies and pursue separate foreign policies, further complicating the possibility of integration.

The Act of Unification: Declaration or Reality?

On January 22, 1919, the Act of Unification between the UPR and WUPR was proclaimed. This event became a symbol of the joint struggle for independence. However, actual unification did not occur due to the lack of a unified political will and coordination of actions between the governments. The leaders of both republics failed to overcome their disagreements, and soon after the unification, new conflicts arose.

The disagreements between the WUPR and UPR were the result of historical, social, and political factors. Despite their common goal of Ukrainian independence, differing approaches to governance, land reform, and foreign policy meant that the Act of "Zluka" remained merely a declaration of intent without real implementation. This period of history highlights the complexities of forming a unified Ukrainian state amid internal contradictions and external threats.

Previously, "Telegraph" reported on the consequences of corruption during the UPR. Large-scale embezzlement of state funds, opaque transactions, and abuses of power by officials were among the reasons for the downfall of Ukrainian statehood in 1917-1920.