Authors

Discussion

The so-called “Euromaidan” mass protests in Ukraine were held between November 2013 to February 2014. They involved dramatic clashes against the riot police, in which over a hundred protesters lost their lives. In the end, the protests won. Yet in the coming years, many former Euromaidan participants who risked their lives, health, and freedom for their vision of a better Ukraine have subsequently voluntarily decided to emigrate. What prompted them to do so? This study attempts to answer this question. Furthermore, in the context of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, it asks whether former Euromaidan protesters currently residing abroad continue to be active in support of Ukraine, and if yes, in which ways.

The study recruited a sample of 210 respondents. They were presented with a range of questions about their Euromaidan participation, emigration, and ongoing activism. They were also asked to which extent they agreed with negative statements about their life in Ukraine in economic, political, sociocultural, and security dimensions. The hypothesis was that disillusionment in political processes in post-Euromaidan Ukraine was the most important factor for emigration of the former protesters. It was found that while economic issues caused, on average, highest concerns of the respondents, political issues were close second.

Almost all respondents participated in different forms of pro-Ukrainian activism in their residence countries since the full-scale Russian invasion of 2022. Over a third organised events in support of Ukraine, and a half of the sample raised funds for Ukraine. Over two thirds provided support to Ukrainian refugees.

Furthermore, 15 follow-up interviews with some of these respondents were conducted. In particular, many thought that Euromaidan and their current activism in support of Ukraine are similar in terms of values – caring for others, patriotism, as well as “the need to do the right thing” were often cited. Some explicitly frame both as a struggle between good and evil. They recognise, however, that they are currently in a more privileged position than during the Euromaidan, and that the stakes for Ukraine are much higher. With regards to their emigration, they present a diverse picture of causes; however, most mention their disillusionment in the political and economical developments in Ukraine.

The study intends to contribute to the nexus of migration theory and contentious politics, looking, in particular, at life trajectories and continuous activism of the demobilised protesters.