UKRAINIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS IN UKRAINIAN HISTORIOGRAPHY (LATE 19TH – EARLY 21ST CENTURY): THE EVOLUTION OF ACADEMIC APPROACHES

Abstract

The article offers a comprehensive analysis of Ukrainian historiography of Ukrainian-Turkish relations within the chronological framework spanning from the late nineteenth century to the early twenty-first century. The relevance of the topic is determined by the need for a theoretical reassessment of the historical interaction between the two states in the context of contemporary geopolitical transformations and the emergence of new strategic vectors of cooperation in the Black Sea region.

The aim of the study is to provide a systematic reconstruction of the scholarly discourse and to identify the principal thematic dominants and conceptual approaches that have emerged within Ukrainian historiography.

The methodological framework of the research is based on the fundamental principles of historicism, scientific objectivity, and systematic approach. The study employs a problem-chronological approach, which makes it possible to trace the dynamics of scholarly interests across different historical periods, as well as comparative-historical analysis to compare the visions and concepts characteristic of particular stages of historiographical development. The use of methods of analysis and synthesis has facilitated the integration of fragmented scholarly works into a coherent picture of the formation of knowledge on Ukrainian–Turkish relations.

The article examines in detail the genesis of scholarly thought, beginning with the classical works of the national revival period, which laid the foundations for understanding Ukraine’s place within the Black Sea space. Particular attention is paid to the period of intensification of Oriental studies in the first half of the twentieth century, when this field underwent institutionalization, including the establishment of the first professional associations and specialized academic journals. The study traces the transformation of scholarly priorities, from the examination of military-political conflicts and Cossack–Ottoman confrontations to a deeper analysis of diplomatic, trade-economic, and socio-cultural relations.

A significant part of the research is devoted to the period following the restoration of Ukraine’s independence, which provided a powerful impetus for liberating academic thought from previous ideological constraints. The article highlights the revival of the national school of Turkology, the expansion of the source base through the incorporation of foreign archival materials, and the application of new methodological approaches. It is concluded that contemporary research demonstrates an increasing interdisciplinary character, where history closely intersects with political science, international relations, and cultural studies. The study concludes by outlining problematic aspects and the most promising directions for further research, contributing to a deeper understanding of the shared historical heritage.