A video interview with Yevhen Golovakha for ICTV

Olha Chaiko, a journalist with the ICTV programme Fakty, has published a video interview with the Director of the Institute of Sociology of the NAS of Ukraine, Yevhen Golovakha. The Corresponding Member of the NAS of Ukraine analysed in depth several blocks of questions that interested the editors.

The first block of questions analysed, in various aspects, the problem of Ukrainians going abroad because of the Russian Federation's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The professor explained why no one today can give even a roughly accurate figure for the number of our country's citizens who were forced to go abroad to escape the war. Migration processes are difficult to track in general, since they have different directions and motives and therefore form different population groups. But one may cautiously suppose that in all more than 20% of the population have so far left Ukraine. And since there has long been no proper census of Ukraine's population, one can say, again approximately, that before the war between 37 and 41 million of us lived in the country. It is from that figure that the percentages of those who relocated — those who left — have to be calculated, taking into account those who have returned. According to UN statistics, about 6 million Ukrainians are currently abroad, of whom 4.9 million have received various temporary statuses. Adding the Ukrainians who were abroad before the war, this figure can be raised to about 8 million people.

As for the Ukrainians who were forcibly or voluntarily moved to Russia from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, one may suppose, the sociologist observed, that there may be between one and two million of them, and possibly more, since Russian statistics are entirely subordinated to the authorities, wholly opportunistic and yield no reliable data.

According to various surveys, a substantial part of those who relocated to Europe (and not only there) intend to return, though many will also remain.

The head of the Institute stressed that the situation of war has rapidly created new problems and new social groups: displaced persons, migrants, emigrants, participants in combat, those who were under occupation and those in peaceful regions of Ukraine. This social differentiation may potentially give rise to inter-group conflicts, including after the war. The authorities and the cultural and intellectual elite, together with the media, must promote and implement the principle of tolerance as one of the leading ones.

Surveys, including our Institute's, the sociologist said, show that Ukrainians are on the whole grateful to our Western partners, though critical assessments, including of the authorities, have grown more numerous. But the orientation towards the EU and NATO remains; it is simply that dissatisfaction with the pace is growing.

As for the situation in the economy, the gradual recovery of businesses destroyed by the war, likely investment and the return of part of the qualified and educated workforce give hope that Ukraine's recovery has its prospects, Yevhen Golovakha predicted with cautious optimism.

The video aroused interest and positive responses. As one user wrote,

@Sunprima: «And why did this conversation come out so late? This should be broadcast, to open people's eyes».

The link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6No-3RG0y6I

Watch the video on YouTube