DEVELOPMENT OF THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE OF THE ZUNR (autumn 1918 – spring 1919)

Abstract

Today in the historical science is growing the interest in a comprehensive study of the activities of the diplomatic service of the ZUNR, which was entrusted with a great responsibility for the implementation and partly formation of the foreign policy of the state. Indeed, the fate of the country depends on the professional and consistent implementation of the strategically correctly chosen foreign policy course, the cadre of the diplomatic service, the forms and methods of its work. In this regard, the actual task is to examine objectively the achievements and miscalculations of the formation of the diplomatic service of the ZUNR, to take into account the positive and negative factors of the activity of the Galician republic, which was at the crossroads of geostrategic interests of the great states in Central and Eastern Europe.

The Galician leadership came to be in the actual international isolation. The one-side orientation towards Austria-Hungary and Germany during World War I meant a complete lack of ties with the governments of the Entente states and the United States. The “Ukrainian policy” of the governments of the Entente states did not form a separate element of the foreign policy concept, but was only an integral part of the Russian, Galician, Romanian or Polish issues. It indirectly occupied a prominent place in European politics of the time, remaining more tactical than strategic means.

The actions of the ZUNR in the international arena have not always been legally secured; there was a lack of qualified politicians, funds and a single clear plan of action. Internal political troubles caused not only the limited financial economic, informational and technical support of the foreign service of the ZUNR, but also led to splits and controversies among members of the Ukrainian missions abroad.

Since its inception, the territory of the ZUNR has become the object of encroachment and military aggression by the neighbouring countries. The ZUNR government believed in compliance with the norms of the international law for a fair solution to the East-Galician issue. These ideas determined the establishment of the ZUNR diplomatic service through the opening of representations and embassies.

In the article, we investigate the process of settling the diplomatic service of West Ukrainian People’s Republic, peculiarities and problems in operation of international representative offices and missions. It has been mentioned that an important task was formation of foreign policy apparatus and determination of foreign policy priorities: union with the Ukrainian People’s Republic, obtaining benevolence of the Entente countries, setting up relations with Czech-Slovak Republic, Hungary, facts on opening the representations and embassies in Venna, Prague, Budapest, Bucharest, London, Berlin, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Washington and other cities.

Romania and other countries with aim of preser- vation of independence, territorial integrity and obtaining international recognition. The author elucidates the