The Geopolitical Strategy of the Leaders of the Ukrainian Liberation Movement in the Early 20th Century

Abstract

The article analyzes the geopolitical ideas of the leaders of the Ukrainian liberation movement in the early – mid-twentieth century. It is noted that its leading figures pointed out the strategic geopolitical position of Ukraine between Asian and European civilizations and the necessity of its separation from the Russian influence. For instance, D. Dontsov emphasized the importance of building a superpowerful Ukrainian state above the Black Sea with a continental international value for the entire Europe. Hrushevsky has actively supported and contributed to the development of the geopolitical project of Baltic-Black Sea axis. The scientist saw the objective belonging of Ukraine to the Western civilization, but pointed out that the geographical features of Ukraine, namely its waterways, led to the Black Sea as a communication center. Among the Ukrainian researchers who supported the idea of “Intermarium”, one should name Z. Pelenskyi, S. Rudnytskyi, S. Tomashivskyi, and Yu. Lypa. Z. Pelenskyi, in particluar, identified three main directions of foreign activity of the OUN and the future of the Ukrainian state: Galician-Balkan, Caspian-Caucasian, and the Belarusian-Baltic one. That is, in order to guarantee its strategic importance, the future Ukrainian state had to expand its influence in Central and Eastern Europe. Another researcher, Stepan Rudnytskyi, substantiated the significance of the Black Sea for our country from the historical perspective, and outlined possible scenarios of Ukraine’s development, foreseeing the establishment of communication through naval channels between the Black, Baltic, and Caspian Seas. Perceiving Ukraine as a geographical concept, Stepan Tomashivskyi focused on the historical consequences of its location in the heart of Europe, which led to a constant struggle of other countries in its territory and its indissoluble link with the Black Sea. Another researcher, Yurii Lypa, emphasized the singularity of Ukrainians as an independent nation, their purpose to be free and happy; focused his attention on the geopolitical orientation of Ukraine at the southern-northern line. Summing up, it should be noted that the majority of Ukrainian politicians and thinkers of that time stressed the importance of clarifying the geopolitical strategy of Ukraine, which was to be aimed at European countries and geopolitical southern-northern line since it was the axis of Ukrainian lands. They also critically evaluated possible alliance with Russia and emphasized the need to weaken the geopolitical influence of Moscow with all possible means, pointing to its chauvinistic and imperialist aspirations.