[1] The idea for an All-National Congress surfaced after the February Revolution, but was strongly opposed by the Russian Provisional Government which interpreted it as separatism on the part of the Central Council.

[2] At its sixth session (August 18–22, 1917) the Central Council recognized the importance of the organization of such an institution and held a forum for an electoral system and the convening of the assembly.

The compromise resulted in some reconciliation among the members of the Central Council which elected a commission to design the laws that would govern the Constituent Assembly.

A special delegation to Petrograd was organized to negotiate the issue, however its mission was suspended and later canceled due to the Bolshevik coup-d'état in the capital.

The Universal also decreed that until the assembly convened the legislative power of the Ukrainian autonomy remained the Central Rada.