Ukrainian-Swiss Relations 1918–1926: Diplomatic Presence Features
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15407/uhj2020.02.094Keywords:
UPR's extraordinary diplomatic missions in Switzerland, Ukrainian States consulate general in Zürich, Ukrainian States consulate in Genève, Lukasevych, VasylkoAbstract
The purpose of the research is to clarify the process of formation of Ukrainian-Swiss relations in 1918–1921 and to establish the peculiarities of Ukraine’s diplomatic presence in Switzerland in 1918–1926.The research methodology is based on the principles of scientific, historicism, systemic.
In the framework of interdisciplinary approach, general scientific and special-scientific methods are used. During the discovery and research of historiographical and historical sources, the methods of archival heuristics, historiographical analysis, external and internal criticism of the source were the key.
The scientific novelty of the research results is the reconstruction of archival information revealed by the author in published and unpublished sources, the activities of the Ukrainian diplomatic and consular missions in Bern, Zürich, Genève and clarification personalities of participants in the process of Ukrainian-Swiss relations in 1918–1926, establishing functions and tasks of diplomatic and consular representatives.
Conclusions. The development of Ukrainian-Swiss relations in 1918–1926 was due to the geopolitical and economic situation in Europe during and after the end of the World War I. The economic crisis, which significantly influenced the socio-economic situation in Switzerland, caused the Swiss party’s interest in establishing trade relations with Ukraine. For Ukraine, the establishment of diplomatic relations with Switzerland was of great importance not only as the establishment of bilateral contacts, but also as an opportunity for indirect interaction with the Entente states and participation in the work of international organizations. The status of the embassy provided to the Ukrainian office in Switzerland confirmed the importance for the Ukrainian State of establishing relations with the Swiss Confederation. This confirmed Switzerland’s visit to Ukraine’s trade mission, the creation of consular offices in Zürich and Genève, Ukrainian-Swiss Chamber of Commerce, Ukrainian Information Bureau. The diplomatic representation of the UPR in Bern formally existed until 1926. A key feature of Ukraine’s diplomatic presence in Switzerland in 1918–1926 is the "official" status and openness of the Swiss authorities to the needs of the missions.
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