During the tumultuous period following World War I, Ukraine faced a series of conflicts that erupted from the collapse of imperial rule and ongoing civil strife. The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, driven by Bolshevik ideology, sought to consolidate control over Ukraine but met opposition from various factions, including the anarchist Makhnovshchina led by Nestor Makhno. Makhno and his followers advocated for local autonomy and self-governance, rejecting centralized Bolshevik authority. As hostilities continued, both parties recognized the need to address ongoing threats from the White Army and foreign powers. On September 29, the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic and the Makhnovshchina factions signed a truce, which was pivotal in temporarily reducing the violence that plagued the region.

The terms of the truce were characterized by mutual recognition of the combatants' respective goals: while the Bolsheviks sought to establish a socialist state, the Makhnovshchina maintained its commitment to anarchism and local autonomy. The agreement allowed Makhno's forces to operate with a degree of independence while still confronting their common enemies. Though fragile, this arrangement highlighted the complexities of the revolutionary landscape in Ukraine, where various ideologies clashed amidst the backdrop of warfare, poverty, and foreign intervention.

The truce remained in effect only for a short period, as underlying tensions and ideological differences resurfaced, eventually leading to renewed conflict. Yet, during its brief existence, the agreement fostered a temporary peace that allowed for a strategic alliance against external threats and showcased the dynamic power struggles at play in post-revolutionary Ukraine.