The establishment of the Ukrainian diaspora in Turkey through migrant associations: ‘We feel as part of the diaspora from now on.’

Abstract

ABSTRACT Policies of the migrant sending and migrant receiving counties are effective in the emergence of diasporas. However, this article argues that a third country could also impact diaspora formations. This study’s primary data source is the interviews held with the representatives from 15 Ukrainian associations formed recently in Turkey. The findings reveal that anti-Russian sentiment and emerging national awareness led the Ukrainian migrants in Turkey towards a diasporic organization. The development of these organizations has been influenced by the initiatives of the Ukrainian government to grow its own diaspora and to activate Ukrainians abroad through ethnonationalism, the positive response to these diasporic activities in return among the migrants, the formation of a sample organization model by the World Ukrainian Congress, and the closeness between Ukraine and Turkey. Finally, the Ukrainian associations have discovered certain areas to focus on the diaspora development and accordingly that they have developed their institutional capacities.