Western Border Issues of Ukraine in Crisis: Transcarpathia, Border Interface with the European Union
Western Border Issues of Ukraine in Crisis: Transcarpathia, Border Interface with the European Union

Summary/Abstract: Not much observed when all eyes are directed towards Kiev or the eastern regions of Ukraine, the westernmost Transcarpathian region is a direct border interface with the territory of the European Union. As such, it provides an alternative input to political sociology to grasp the current issues of the country. After a short historical and socio-economic contextualisation, the present study investigates the current border uses for the population with neighbouring European countries and the main contemporary lines of work for decision makers looking for a regional integration. This overview is based on data collected on site from field observations and interviews with the actors. Transcarpathia appears to be deeply impacted by the crisis that Ukraine is facing, though geographically distant. There, it particularly exacerbates the contradictions of a border and marginal space, caught between the distant hope of a full European integration and the discouragement of the lack of support from Kiev. The current European neighbourhood policy and the bilateral efforts of neighbouring states are also put to the test by the crisis, raising the question of resilience and political will.

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