Zakarpattia was part of Kingdom of Hungary , later Austria-Hungary until the latter 's demise at the end of World War I. This region was briefly part of the short-lived West Ukrainian National Republic in 1918 and occupied by Romania at end of that year . The lands of Zakarpattia for a long time were part of the Kingdom of Hungary which eventually transformed into a Hungarian part of Austria-Hungary until the latter 's demise at the end of World War I. This region was briefly part of the short-lived West Ukrainian National Republic in 1918 .