Political Mediation in the Process of Reintegrating Liberated Territories

Abstract

The relevance of this study is driven by the growing need to apply political mediation as an effective tool for reintegrating the deoccupied territories of Ukraine. The aim of the article is to determine the role of mediation in addressing sociopolitical contradictions and to develop models for its implementation in postconflict recovery. The research methodology is based on a comprehensive approach that combines a structural functional method, comparative analysis, elements of an institutional approach, and an examination of international experience in postconflict reconstruction. The findings indicate that sociopolitical processes in liberated territories are marked by significant social fragmentation, low institutional trust, and high conflict potential, all of which generate a demand for mediation. The core functions of political mediation are identified as rebuilding trust, reducing social tension, legitimizing public authority, and fostering inclusive dialogue among different population groups. The study analyzes the most promising mediation models adapted to the Ukrainian context and evaluates the effectiveness of relevant tools based on international practices from Northern Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is demonstrated that combining communitarian, institutional, and hybrid models provides the most favorable conditions for stabilizing and socially consolidating deoccupied communities. Successful implementation of mediation practices requires the development of local dialogue infrastructure and stronger citizen participation in decision making. The practical significance of the study lies in its potential application to state reintegration policy, the design of local reconciliation programs, and the establishment of sustainable mediation services in liberated communities.