The article analyzes the development of democratic traditions of ancient polises of the Northern Black Sea region and determines their influence on future state-building processes in Ukraine. It is noted that Greek cities and settlements on the northern shore of the Black Sea arose at one of the last stages of the Great Greek colonization of the VIII–VI centuries BC, which significantly expanded the borders of the ancient world. Numerous Hellenic colonies were founded in the southwestern part of the Apennine Peninsula and Sicily, on the southern and northwestern coasts of the Mediterranean Sea, along the shores of the Marmara and Black Seas. Greek city-polises formed democratic traditions that positively influenced the development of Ukrainian statehood. It is noted that the analysis of historical sources allows us to draw certain conclusions, for example, regarding ideas about the civil community.

It is shown that the influence of the democratic traditions of ancient policies was traced in the political life of Kyivan Rus, where the veche – a people’s assembly that united all free members of the community – played a key role. Its competence was extremely broad: from resolving issues of war and peace to the election and even removal of the Grand Duke as the ruler of the state. Through the veche, the people directly influenced state policy, which testified to a fairly high level of political culture of that time. “Ruska Pravda”, as the first set of laws, reflected the beginnings of the principle of the rule of law and the protection of human rights. The Cossack state of the 17th century also demonstrated significant democratic tendencies that were comparable to the achievements of European states of that time. The institute of hetmanship, the General Council and the election of officials testified to a high level of self-organization of Cossack society on democratic principles.

It is emphasized that one of the most striking examples of the implementation of democratic ideas was the “Treaties and Resolutions on the Rights and Freedoms of the Military between His Excellency Mr. Pylyp Orlyk, the newly elected Hetman of the Zaporozhian Army, and between the generals, colonels and the same Zaporozhian Army, approved with full agreement on both sides…”, also known as the Pylyp Orlyk Constitution of 1710. They combined the traditional principles of Cossack democracy with the achievements of Western European political thought, proclaiming the principles of popular sovereignty, separation of powers and protection of human rights. The Constitution testified that the Ukrainian state-building tradition was an integral part of the European civilizational process.

A striking example of the implementation of democratic principles in Ukrainian history was the activity of the Central Rada. Democratic ideas, proclaimed and partially implemented by its government, remained in the history of Ukraine as an important achievement and continue to influence modern Ukrainian politics. The conclusions emphasize that ancient civilization, with its rich achievements in philosophy, law and politics, left a deep mark on the development of the human community that lived on the lands of modern Ukraine for millennia. A special place in this process is occupied by the policies of the Northern Black Sea region, which were not only trading centers, but, in a number of cases, also experimental platforms for the implementation of democratic ideals. Their experience undoubtedly influenced subsequent state-building processes on the territory of Ukraine. The ideas and traditions of democracy, which were widespread in the policies of the Northern Black Sea region in ancient times, did not disappear without a trace. They continued to develop and transform during subsequent historical eras. Of course, it would be an exaggeration to consider them the direct beginnings of Ukrainian statehood itself. Nevertheless, they significantly influenced the emergence and evolution of state-building and law-making processes among the Eastern Slavs. Later, in the course of history, the ideals of democracy were repeatedly revived. The Cossack state, the Central Rada are just some examples that indicate that the Ukrainian people have always strived for self-government and democratic freedoms. The democratic traditions of the ancient policies of the Northern Black Sea region played an important role in the formation of Ukrainian statehood. The ideas of direct democracy, the rule of law and equality of all before the law, which originated in the ancient policies, continue to inspire Ukrainians in their desire to build a strong, democratic and just state.

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