Sigismund II Augustus – link to Hieronim Chodkiewicz

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The initial Sejm negotiations on unity in January 1569, near the Polish city of [[Lublin]], were futile. The right of Poles to settle and own land in the Grand Duchy was questioned by Lithuanian envoys. Following Mikołaj Radziwiłł's departure from Lublin on 1 March 1569, Sigismund announced the incorporation of then-Lithuanian [[Podlachia]], [[Volhynia]], [[Podolia]] and [[Kiev]] provinces into Poland, with strong approval from the local [[Ukrainians|Ruthenian]] (Ukrainian) [[gentry]]. Those historic regions, which once belonged to the [[Kievan Rus']], were disputed between Lithuania and Russia. However, the Ruthenian nobles were eager to capitalise on the political or economic potential offered by the Polish sphere and agreed to the terms. Previously, the [[Kingdom of Ruthenia]] or "Ukraine" was abolished in 1349, after Poland and Lithuania split modern-day Ukraine in the aftermath of the [[Galicia–Volhynia Wars]]. Now, under the Union of Lublin, all Ukrainian and Ruthenian territories which were alien in culture, customs, religion and language to the Polish people would be annexed by Catholic Poland. Strong [[westernisation]] and polonisation would follow, including the clandestine suppression of the Ukrainian [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] by future King [[Sigismund III]]. Ruthenia remained under Polish rule until the [[Khmelnytsky Uprising|Cossack uprisings against Polish domination]] and the [[Partitions of Poland]], when Ukraine was annexed by the [[Russian Empire]].
The initial Sejm negotiations on unity in January 1569, near the Polish city of [[Lublin]], were futile. The right of Poles to settle and own land in the Grand Duchy was questioned by Lithuanian envoys. Following Mikołaj Radziwiłł's departure from Lublin on 1 March 1569, Sigismund announced the incorporation of then-Lithuanian [[Podlachia]], [[Volhynia]], [[Podolia]] and [[Kiev]] provinces into Poland, with strong approval from the local [[Ukrainians|Ruthenian]] (Ukrainian) [[gentry]]. Those historic regions, which once belonged to the [[Kievan Rus']], were disputed between Lithuania and Russia. However, the Ruthenian nobles were eager to capitalise on the political or economic potential offered by the Polish sphere and agreed to the terms. Previously, the [[Kingdom of Ruthenia]] or "Ukraine" was abolished in 1349, after Poland and Lithuania split modern-day Ukraine in the aftermath of the [[Galicia–Volhynia Wars]]. Now, under the Union of Lublin, all Ukrainian and Ruthenian territories which were alien in culture, customs, religion and language to the Polish people would be annexed by Catholic Poland. Strong [[westernisation]] and polonisation would follow, including the clandestine suppression of the Ukrainian [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] by future King [[Sigismund III]]. Ruthenia remained under Polish rule until the [[Khmelnytsky Uprising|Cossack uprisings against Polish domination]] and the [[Partitions of Poland]], when Ukraine was annexed by the [[Russian Empire]].


The Lithuanians were compelled to return to the Sejm negotiations under [[Jan Hieronimowicz Chodkiewicz|Jan Hieronim Chodkiewicz]] and continue negotiations. The Polish nobility once again pressed for the full incorporation of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania into Poland, however, the Lithuanians disapproved. The parties eventually agreed on a federal state on 28 June 1569 and on 1 July 1569 the Union of Lublin was signed at [[Lublin Castle]], thus establishing the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Sigismund Augustus [[ratification|ratified]] the unification act on 4 July, and henceforth governed one of the largest and multicultural countries of 16th-century Europe.
The Lithuanians were compelled to return to the Sejm negotiations under Jan [[Hieronim Chodkiewicz]] and continue negotiations. The Polish nobility once again pressed for the full incorporation of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania into Poland, however, the Lithuanians disapproved. The parties eventually agreed on a federal state on 28 June 1569 and on 1 July 1569 the Union of Lublin was signed at [[Lublin Castle]], thus establishing the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Sigismund Augustus [[ratification|ratified]] the unification act on 4 July, and henceforth governed one of the largest and multicultural countries of 16th-century Europe.