the meeting of representatives of the Ukrainian people which has made the decision on reunion of Ukraine with Russia. The item of river has been called by the hetman B. Khmelnytsky (See. Khmelnytskyi region) 8 on January (18) in Pereyaslavl (modern Pereyaslav-Khmelnytskyi). I have finished the movement for reunion with Russia which has especially amplified during Liberating war of the Ukrainian and Belarusian people 1648 — 54. Making decision on reunion of Ukraine with Russia was promoted by proximity of language and culture of the Ukrainian and Russian people, a religion community, existence between them economic, political and cultural ties. Also features in a state system of Russia and policy of the Russian government for Ukraine were important. In Russia there were Cossack regions (on Don, Yaike) which didn't know a serfdom and used the known political autonomy. The Russian government granted a shelter to the Ukrainian peasants and Cossacks and lodged them as free people. In the territory, adjacent to Ukraine, the area has been formed of the Ukrainian immigrants and the Cossack register (Suburban Ukraine) is created. The peasantry of Ukraine hoped to ensure position of the free population under the power of Russia and to get rid of national oppression and religious prosecutions. Ukrainian the foreman and a shlyakhetstvo sought to fix the class privileges by means of tsarism and to turn into ruling class in Ukraine by providing a political autonomy within the Russian state.
On the eve of meeting B. Khmelnytsky has met the head of imperial embassy boyar V. V. Buturlin; in the morning 8 on January (18) he has called the starshinsky Rada which has unanimously supported reunion of Ukraine with Russia. In the middle of the day open has been called I am glad. Except representatives of the regiments billeted on the lands freed from the power of Poland at her there were pereyaslavsky citizens and peasants of neighboring villages. B. Khmelnytsky who has made the speech has reminded of the victims suffered by the Ukrainian people in liberating fight and has emphasized that the only means to fix gains of the people is recognition of the power of Russia. The offer has been met by unanimous approval. After that oath of allegiance to the tsar of the foreman, then Cossacks and petty bourgeoises has taken place. Reunion of Ukraine with Russia had progressive value for the subsequent economic, political and cultural development of the Ukrainian people, it has strengthened the union and friendship of two fraternal peoples which were in common fighting against overseas aggressors for social and national release.
Litas.: Golobutsky V. A., Diplomatic history of liberating war of the Ukrainian people of 1648 — 1654, To., 1962.
V. A. Golobutsky.