What would Ukraine look like today if the Ukrainian People's Republic and the West Ukrainian People's Republic had succeeded over a century ago? (map)
On Ukraine's Unity Day, which is celebrated annually on January 22, the internet showcased what our country might have looked like if the Ukrainian People's Republic (UPR) and the West Ukrainian People's Republic (WUPR) had remained united. The unified UPR claimed parts of modern-day Russia and Belarus.
The map is published by the Telegram channel UA War Infographics. The united UPR existed for just a few weeks in 1919.
The Act of Union embodied the aspirations for unity held by the residents of both parts of Ukraine – the Dnipro and Transnistria – at least since the mid-19th century. On January 22, 1919, the Act of Reunification of the UPR and WUPR was solemnly proclaimed at St. Sophia Square in Kyiv.
"From now on, the centuries-separated parts of a united Ukraine — the West Ukrainian People's Republic (Galicia, Bukovina, Hungarian Rus) and the Dnipro Great Ukraine merge into one. The age-old dreams cherished and fought for by the best sons of Ukraine have come true. From now on, there is a single independent Ukrainian People's Republic", — stated in the "Universal of Unity," which was read at the assembly.
However, this held only symbolic significance, as just a few weeks after the proclamation of the Act of Reunification, the Bolsheviks seized Kyiv. Later, the Poles occupied Eastern Galicia, while Czechoslovakia took over Transcarpathia.
Unity Day in Ukraine became an official holiday in 1999, although Ukrainians began celebrating it earlier. The main tradition of Unity Day – forming a living chain of people – first took place in 1990 in honor of the 71st anniversary of the Act of Reunification.
As reported by "Telegraph," Donald Trump, upon becoming the President of the United States, tasked his special representative for Ukraine, Kurt Volker, with ending the war between Ukraine and Russia in a hundred days. However, very few believe that he will succeed, including the Russians.