Border Migration Processes in Ukraine: Developing Responses to Emerging Vulnerabilities

Abstract

The paper analyses specifics of Ukrainian migration to Poland in terms of the scale, scope and dynamics of population migration at national and sub-national levels. The author reveals the main push factors for the residents of border areas stimulating population movements towards Poland, namely the economic disparities in the analysed regions, living standard vulnerability, varying levels of labour market attractiveness, social security differences, and policy imperfections. This calls for crucial measures for minimising migration risks and challenges, given the loss of a substantial share of Ukraine’s human potential in border regions. It is defined that Podkarpackie Voivodeship and Lviv Oblast are the most cooperating border regions greatly contributing to the total Ukrainian-Polish relations. The new priorities of the policy for cross-border cooperation between Ukraine and Poland are detailed in specific measures improving the functioning of the “Lviv Oblast – Podkarpackie Voivodeship” migration system and human resource development in border area.