Ukrainian monarchy – fantasy or prospect?

ExclusiveThe current crisis situation both in the political life of Ukraine – when due to martial law it is impossible to hold elections and at the same time the problem of power rotation and the need for people who are truly capable of winning to come to the helm of the state is extremely urgent – ​​and in the development of the entire European culture and civilization, prompts us to find non-standard ways to overcome significant obstacles that stand in the way of a just peace for our state and all of Europe.

In the conditions of the ongoing war unleashed by the Russian aggressor on the territory of Ukraine, or the threat of war looming over Central Europe, the government must unite the nation more than ever. Which, unfortunately, can hardly be said about today's leaders of Ukraine. It is not very correct to say about the leaders of other states.

So what to do? Raise Maidan-3? It won't work. First, the majority of active and patriotic citizens of Ukraine, who theoretically could organize it, are currently at the front, and that's where they are probably most needed. They won't leave where the enemy needs to be beaten. Second, the new Maidan could further divide society due to the lack of a common vision of the program for the future of the state by its potential participants.

When the internal crisis of governance (a vivid example of which can be the recent history with Law 12414) and the external war with Russia bring reality closer to the situation of a vicious circle, it is necessary to turn to traditions. That is, not to the customs of the past, which have preserved their form but lost their essence, but to the way of thinking and acting, which, having justified themselves, have survived the centuries. And one of such traditional forms of state organization of a nation is the monarchy.

Fantasy? In our hyper-democratic time, when emperors and kings in Europe have long been overthrown by supposedly popular revolutions, why should we resort to such archaism? Let's try to consider this idea without emotions. Negative ones, at least.

One of the most developed, prosperous and at the same time most stable (and, moreover, the most favorable to Ukraine) states in modern Europe is the United Kingdom. Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Which has preserved a monarchical form of government for centuries and has not known bloody revolutions for over three hundred years and civil wars. Where in recent years King Charles III has increasingly performed public functions. Where in July 2024 the process of transferring power from the Conservatives to the Labour Party lasted as long as two days (the day of the parliamentary elections and the day of the swearing-in of the new government).

The example of Great Britain is not unique in the world - it is also worth mentioning the Japanese Empire, whose entire life is based on the optimal combination of tradition and modernity. After the defeat of this state in World War II, it was the figure of Emperor Hirohito that largely allowed the Japanese to enter a new era without significant internal contradictions.

We can also cite an example of the relatively recent restoration of the monarchy after a long republican experience - almost 50 years ago, after the death of the leader of Spain, Francisco Franco, who saved this country from the Red Menace, King Juan Carlos I became the head of state. He and his successors from the Bourbon dynasty are the guarantors of stability and development.

But the question arises - where can Ukraine find a monarch whose figure would be consistent with the domestic political and legal tradition? And how to legitimize his power if it is impossible to make changes to the Constitution under martial law?

Oddly enough, there are options, and even several.

First, it is worth recalling the year 1918, namely the Ukrainian state headed by Hetman Pavlo Skoropadsky. Later, in emigration, the theorist of Ukrainian monarchism Vyacheslav Lypynsky substantiated the idea of ​​the need to establish in Ukraine a "hereditary" (i.e. hereditary), and also a "labor" (which would involve an active creative role in state-building of all members of society from the Hetman to the peasant and worker) monarchy - the Hetmanate. He recognized P. Skoropadsky not as a "former Hetman", but as the legitimate head of the Hetman's house. His son - Hetmanich Danylo - was recognized by supporters of the Hetmanate as the heir (presumably, the sudden death of Danylo Pavlovich at the age of 53 was not accidental - he definitely did not give peace to the Soviet special services).

Thus, the option of restoring the Skoropadsky Hetmanate in Ukraine is quite positive. However, it also has a significant drawback - today there are no direct descendants of the Hetman who ruled in 1918, and therefore - someone whose right to power could be universally recognized.

Secondly, it should be remembered that a significant part of the territory of Ukraine was for a long time part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire under the rule of the Habsburgs. The personality of Duke Wilhelm von Habsburg (aka Vasyl Vyshyvany) is quite well-known, who served in the ranks of the Ukrainian Sich Riflemen, never subsequently severed ties with the Ukrainian national liberation movement, and, ultimately, after World War II, was arrested by the Bolsheviks and died in an NKVD prison.

And the current head of this aristocratic house is Carl von Habsburg, active public and political figure, former Member of the European Parliament from the conservative European People's Party, head of the Austrian branch of the Pan-European Movement, active supporter of Ukraine (among his media projects it is worth noting the radio station "Kraina FM", founded about twenty years ago, which was perhaps the first in our country to have 100% Ukrainian-language content). After the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, Karl von Habsburg in each of his annual "Speech on the Future of Europe" covered the topic of Ukraine in detail, unequivocally calling Russia an aggressor.

So, the idea of ​​reviving the Habsburg dynasty as the ruling dynasty in Ukraine is also positive and not without legitimacy. However, it also has its drawbacks. On the one hand, The figure of Karl von Habsburg is, undeservedly, not very well-known in Ukraine, and therefore it is unknown how he will be perceived by society, especially in the center and east of our country. On the other hand, it is very difficult to say anything about his own desire to carry out precisely such a ministry.

Thirdly, a direct descendant of Hetman Kyrylo Rozumovsky lives in the same Austria – Hryhoriy (Gregor) Rozumovsky. He is a caring figure, actively speaking out in support of Ukraine, but, according to his own words, voiced in one of his interviews, he does not claim the Hetman's mace in Ukraine.

Gregor Razumovsky

Fourthly, there is Hetman Viktor Yushchenko (more precisely – as of today – the acting Hetman, in the absence of the Hetman), recognized as such by the Ukrainian Cossacks after his election to the position of President of Ukraine. But, although V. Yushchenko himself (in particular, a descendant of Petro Kalnyshevsky) did a lot to build the Ukrainian state and fill it with its own Ukrainian national content, there are serious questions about the readiness of the descendants of the third President to hold the mace with dignity.

Fifth, one of the outstanding commanders, generals in the current war, who have gained national respect, may be proclaimed hetman (let's not personalize this option for now to avoid discord).

Sixthly – and this has already been written about before – given Ukraine’s close allied relations with Great Britain, it will be possible at the right moment to raise the question of our state’s accession to the British Commonwealth of Nations, which (unlike the European Union) did not constitute there would be no threat to its sovereignty. The examples of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are quite convincing. Such an act would automatically mean the recognition of the British monarch as the supreme leader of Ukraine, which would create real security guarantees for our state. Or, as an option, an invitation to the Kyiv throne of Prince Harry, deprived of some rights as a member of the British royal family.

European history knows examples when younger princes who could not claim power in their homeland became monarchs in other countries. Thus, the younger branch of the Hohenzollerns – the Prussian kings – became the ruling dynasty in Romania, remaining so until the final establishment of the communist regime in that country in 1947.

As for the British Windsor dynasty, its members are descendants of Yaroslav the Wise, which further substantiates their legitimacy as possible monarchs of Ukraine.

However, as always to introduce a monarchy in Ukraine in wartime conditions? You can simply first unofficially declare one of the candidates as hetman (king), but in such a way that it receives actual recognition from the majority (preferably the vast majority) of society. And after the abolition of martial law, the constitutional majority of the Verkhovna Rada can introduce relevant amendments to the Basic Law.

So what, fantasy? Maybe so. But even the great Leonardo da Vinci once fantasized about aeronautics. Fantasies become reality.

Martin Skawronsky, for Newsky.