Making Ukraine: Negotiating, Contesting, and Drawing the Borders in the Twentieth Century

The book "Making Ukraine" explores the processes of negotiation, delineation, and contestation that have shaped Ukraine's borders throughout the past century, with a primary focus on the critical period between 1917 and 1954. It examines the interstate treaties, internal boundaries, and borders with Western neighbors and considers the competing visions of future relations between Ukraine and Russia.

Format: Hardback
Publication date: 15 May 2022
Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press

The illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 and the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine have brought significant attention to Ukraine's borders. In response, Making Ukraine: Negotiating, Delineating, and Contesting Borders in the Post-Soviet Era aims to explore the complex processes that have shaped the country's borders throughout history. This comprehensive essay collection examines how, when, and under what conditions the borders that historically define Ukraine were agreed upon. Contributors from various historical fields contribute their insights, shedding light on the critical period between 1917 and 1954.

The chapters are organized around three main themes:

The interstate treaties that brought about the new international order in Eastern Europe after the world wars.

The formation of internal boundaries between Ukraine and other Soviet republics.

The delineation of Ukraine's borders with its western neighbors.

In addition to these thematic chapters, the book also pays close attention to the process of bordering Ukraine in the post-Soviet era. Contributors examine the competing visions of future relations between Ukraine and Russia, highlighting the complex dynamics and geopolitical tensions that shape the region.

Through its broad geographic and thematic coverage, Making Ukraine illustrates that contemporary border formation cannot be understood solely through the lens of a single state, frontier, or ideology. It sheds light on the shared history of territory and state formation in Europe and the wider modern world. This book is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and policymakers interested in understanding the complex dynamics of border politics and the ongoing challenges facing Ukraine and its neighbors.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780228011019