TAKING OVER THE territory of Galicia was one of the aims of Andrew II's reign in Hungary (1205–35). The principality of Halych (a form of the Latinized name, Galicia) had formed during the twelfth century under the rule of Volodymerko (1124–53) and merged at the end of that century with Volhynia to create the principality of Galicia–Volhynia under Roman Mstislavich (1199–1205). The principality existed until 1340 when it was split: Galicia then fell under the control of the Polish crown, with Volhynia under the grand duchy of Lithuania. Today the territory of Galicia belongs partly to Poland (Przemyśl) and partially to Ukraine (Lviv, Halych).

Andrew's first campaign in Galicia started straight after his enthronement in 1205, and he abandoned these attempts only after the death of his youngest son, Andrew, in 1234. Whether the prince's sudden death or other circumstances forced the Hungarian king to stop, we cannot be sure, since he died the following year.

Andrew II's interest in Galicia reflects that of his father, King Béla III (1172–96), who intended to strengthen the Hungarian rule in the principality of Galicia by placing his offspring there. Andrew was born around 1177, so he must have been about eleven or twelve years old at the time of the Hungarian campaign of 1188–89. He may have been aware of the nature of the Hungarian claim on Galicia, and his father's military and diplomatic plans might have made an impact on him.

Andrew II's grandmother, Euphrosyne Mstislavna, came from the Rurikid dynasty, whilst his grandfather, King Géza II (1141–62), had led several campaigns into the territory of the Kievan Rus’, even if their goals diverged in several aspects from those under Béla III. Experiences from Géza II's time long predated Andrew but a memory of the campaigns probably lingered. Andrew II, in fact, did refer to his grandfather, father, and the events of their time, however different in nature.

The short reign of Béla III in Galicia shows different kind of political actions. He incarcerated Vladimir Iaroslavich, the Galician prince, and started negotiations with the Galician elite and the grand prince of Kiev.