Analyzing the development of events of 1917-1918 years the author examines one of the most important stages in the history of Ukrainian state formation – Proclamation of independence of Ukrainian National Republic (UNR). The author places high emphasis on research of reasons that resulted in proclamation of independence of UNR, namely development of conflict with Bolsheviks led up to that the only means of his overcoming and retention of the Ukrainian state system was signing a peace treaty between the UNR and countries of the Central block. The author determined the content, main point and consequences of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk for the Ukrainian state formation. Especial attention is paid to the analysis of contradictions and conflicts between the Central Rada and the German military command in Ukraine regarding to economic relations, especially in the agricultural sector, and provision’s supply problems in Germany. The documentary archival sources show concrete facts of conflicts, primarily in the field of land relations and the spread of the jurisdiction of German martial law courts to Ukrainian citizens. The author examined the process of resumption of Central Rada’s power after the conclusion of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk and its concrete steps in the field of further state-building, in particular the legislative support of the Ukrainian National Republic. The author concluded that the inconsistency of the positions of the Central Rada and the German military command led to the decline of the Ukrainian People's Republic.

Keywords: IV Universal, proclamation of independence of the UNR, Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, contradictions between the Central Rada and the German military command in Ukraine, the decline of the UNR.