February 9 - Ukraine's Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

This Day in History: 9 February 2020

 

9 February 1918

 

102 years ago, today, the first Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed between the newly independent state of Ukraine and the Central Powers, in Berlin, Germany. The Central Powers of the First World War included the governments of Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Germany and Turkey, and in the treaty, they recognised Ukraine's independence from Russia, and agreed to provide military aid and protection from Russia's Bolshevik forces. In exchange, the Ukrainian National Republic would provide 100 million tons of food to Germany, who were in ruins at the time.

 

Ukraine's independence begun due to the collapse of the Russian monarchy in March 1917, when Ukraine's political leaders declared the country a republic within Russia. But, after the Bolshevik Revolution, Ukraine's complete independence was proclaimed by Vladimir Vinnichenko in January 1918. Bolshevik forces were then sent to regain the Ukrainian territory, but the Russians were forced out by German troops after the treaty was signed, and within one month, Russia formally recognised the independence of Ukraine. However, during the Russian Civil War, the Soviet Union regained the territory, and Ukraine became a republic of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

 

Want to read more about the Treaties of Brest-Litovsk? Click here for more information.