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Universals of the Central Council, Hetmanate Charters, Directorial Decrees, State Documents on Foreign Policy
International Multilateral and Bilateral Negotiations, Treaties, and Agreements
Negotiations in Brest-Litovsk and the Brest Peace Treaty
Negotiations in Kyiv with the RSFSR and Documents Signed During the Negotiations
Activities of the Foreign Affairs Department, Structure, Orders
Meetings of Ambassadors and Heads of Diplomatic Missions
Bilateral Relations
Diplomatic passports
Diplomatic education, consular courses
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Honorary consuls
Будинки МзС The modern building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Photo by: Pavlo Khomensky
Будинки МзС The Ministry of Foreign Affairs building from the Soviet era
Photo by: Svitlana Semenchenko
Будинки МзС The building of Fyodor Tereshchenko on Tereshchenkivska Street, 7-9

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Universals of the Central Council, Hetmanate Charters, Directorial Decrees, State Documents on Foreign Policy

Universals of the Central Council, Hetmanate Charters, Directorial Decrees, State Documents on Foreign Policy

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International Multilateral and Bilateral Negotiations, Treaties, and Agreements

International Multilateral and Bilateral Negotiations, Treaties, and Agreements

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Activities of the Foreign Affairs Department, Structure, Orders

Activities of the Foreign Affairs Department, Structure, Orders

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Diplomatic passports

Diplomatic passports

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The Diplomatic Service of Ukraine is over 100 years old

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

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.

The building of the Central Rada, 57 Volodymyrska Street (photo from open sources). The building of the Central Rada, 57 Volodymyrska Street (photo from open sources).
Mykhailo Hrushevsky (1866–1934) – Chairman of the Central Rada Mykhailo Hrushevsky (1866–1934) – Chairman of the Central Rada
The Diplomatic Mission of the Ukrainian People's Republic. Vienna, 1920. The Diplomatic Mission of the Ukrainian People's Republic. Vienna, 1920.
The building of the Central Rada, 57 Volodymyrska Street (photo from open sources). The building of the Central Rada, 57 Volodymyrska Street (photo from open sources).
Mykhailo Hrushevsky (1866–1934) – Chairman of the Central Rada Mykhailo Hrushevsky (1866–1934) – Chairman of the Central Rada

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.

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.

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Diplomats about diplomacy

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

"Before the eyes of the whole world, an unequal struggle is being fought – a small, cultured Ukraine is defending its independence from the great plundering Russia, which refuses to release this golden resource from its hands."

Andriy Nikovskyi,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Ukrainian People's Republic (UPR)
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.

"...Let history judge us. We will gladly accept the verdict, even a harsh one, as long as it is delivered by a free Ukrainian people in an Independent Ukrainian State."

Andriy Lvivskyi,
Head of the Extraordinary Diplomatic Mission of the Ukrainian People's Republic (UPR) in Poland,
Minister of Justice of the UPR, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UPR.

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.

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Third Universal of the Central Rada Third Universal of the Central Rada
Proclamation of the Ukrainian People's Republic on Sofia Square Proclamation of the Ukrainian People's Republic on Sofia Square
Leaders of the Ukrainian People's Republic: Mykhailo Hrushevskyi, Volodymyr Vynnychenko, Symon Petliura Leaders of the Ukrainian People's Republic: Mykhailo Hrushevskyi, Volodymyr Vynnychenko, Symon Petliura

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.

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Third Universal of the Central Rada Third Universal of the Central Rada
Proclamation of the Ukrainian People's Republic on Sofia Square Proclamation of the Ukrainian People's Republic on Sofia Square
Leaders of the Ukrainian People's Republic: Mykhailo Hrushevskyi, Volodymyr Vynnychenko, Symon Petliura Leaders of the Ukrainian People's Republic: Mykhailo Hrushevskyi, Volodymyr Vynnychenko, Symon Petliura
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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.

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Draft law on the creation of the General Secretariat for International Affairs Draft law on the creation of the General Secretariat for International Affairs
Oleksandr Shulhyn, General Secretary of Foreign Affairs Oleksandr Shulhyn, General Secretary of Foreign Affairs

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.

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Draft law on the creation of the General Secretariat for International Affairs Draft law on the creation of the General Secretariat for International Affairs
Oleksandr Shulhyn, General Secretary of Foreign Affairs Oleksandr Shulhyn, General Secretary of Foreign Affairs
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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.

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The Fourth Universal of the Central Rada The Fourth Universal of the Central Rada
Proclamation of the Fourth Universal of the Central Rada Proclamation of the Fourth Universal of the Central Rada
Leaders of the Ukrainian People's Republic (UNR) Leaders of the Ukrainian People's Republic (UNR)

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.

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The Fourth Universal of the Central Rada The Fourth Universal of the Central Rada
Proclamation of the Fourth Universal of the Central Rada Proclamation of the Fourth Universal of the Central Rada
Leaders of the Ukrainian People's Republic (UNR) Leaders of the Ukrainian People's Republic (UNR)
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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.

Structure of the Diplomatic eArchive

Universals of the Central Council, Hetmanate Charters, Directorial Decrees, State Documents on Foreign Policy
International Multilateral and Bilateral Negotiations, Treaties, and Agreements
Activities of the Foreign Affairs Department, Structure, Orders
Meetings of Ambassadors and Heads of Diplomatic Missions
Bilateral Relations
Diplomatic passports
Diplomatic education, consular courses
Diplomatic Missions
Consular Institutions
Honorary consuls