Abstract

This work covers the role of the ethnic factor in the occurrence of inter­country border conflicts and emphasizes that the quality of inter­country cooperation depends to a large degree on how the situation evolves in border regions. If well established, border communication helps improve inter­country understanding, overcome historical barriers and stereotypes, and reduce the risk of conflict in neighboring regions. Border conflicts often result from special ethnic, religious or linguistic features of the border area, the phenomenon of the divided ethnos, which strives to be integrated into one state. The author points out that the problem is especially relevant for contemporary Ukraine where there is a military threat and a threat to territorial integrity, a change in state border as a result of aggression. The population of many border regions has a complex ethnic structure, and ethnic stereotypes remain active. Border disputes are difficult to resolve when one territory gravitates geographically to one state and ethnically to another. The evolution of border relationships also depends to a great degree on administrative policies, which are the result of the social, economic and demographic factor and the ethnic and cultural unity. The author notes that the intensity of social and political processes in border areas depends on the geopolitical development and strategy of the border dialog. It is claimed that a border conflict may grow into a large­scale military conflict in the struggle for adjoining territories, in the confrontation of ethnic, cultural, religious values. So, the border policies should be based on diplomatic, legal, economic, cultural and other activities.