Kharkov, to People’s Commissar Antonov

In view of the complaints of the People’s Secretariat concerning the friction that has arisen between you and the Central Executive Committee of Ukraine, I ask you on your part to let me know what exactly the matter is; it goes without saying that our interference in the internal affairs of Ukraine, unless it is necessitated by military necessity, is undesirable. It is more convenient to carry out particular measures through the local authorities, and in general it would be best if all misunderstandings were settled on the spot 43.

Lenin

(February, before the 3rd), 1918.

Written in January, before the 21st.

First published in 1924 in the book: V. A. Antonov-Ovseyenko, *Notes on the Civil War*, from the text of a telegraph form, vol. 1, Moscow.

Printed from the text.