Ukraina na drodze do niepodległości (1918–1920) W setną rocznicę

After the 1917 revolution in Russia, the Ukrainians began their struggle for indepen- dence. They created the state’s authorities and in January 1918, proclaimed indepen- dence. Ukraine at that time was occupied both by German and Austro-Hungarian troops. The Ukrainian authorities signed a tripartite agreement with Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire to protect the newborn state from the Bolshevik Rus- sian government. In exchange, the Ukrainians undertook to supply the Germans and Austro-Hungarians with food produce. World War I ended in the defeat of Germany and the Austro-Hungarians, and Ukraine was subsequently treated by the Entente sta- tes as an ally. There were two coup d’etats in the Ukrainian authorities. Following the end of WWI, Ukraine found itself at war with Bolshevik Russia, and later with Poland on its western border. After sustaining heavy losses against the Bolsheviks, in 1920 Ukraine signed a pact with Poland to join forces in the fight together against Russia. However, it was too late to save the country’s independence. Ukraine became part of Soviet Union until 1991.