Understanding of ethnic identification at the theoretical level is always complicated by the lack of a single concept of social identity. When trying to distinguish between objective and subjective criteria of social identification, their strong interrelation becomes obvious. However, the presence of “ethnic” motivates the researcher to choose between, for example, functionalism and phenomenological sociology. Thus, empirical studies suggest that in a particular context, the coexistence of two models is possible. For example, we can observe the perennialism of ethnicity, when belonging to a group is subjectively determined by origin, family background, passport/personal data. On the other hand, self-determination is possible by choosing between, for instance, the ethnicity of a Romanian/Moldovan father or a Ukrainian mother. Obviously, for some people, ethnicity can be a significant part of their social identity, and for others it can be perceived on the periphery of their needs, feelings, ideas etc. Ethnic identity is almost invariably determined by a specific environment, which significantly affects the ethnic self-determination of an individual and a group. The set of geographical and social spaces, within which the identification of Romanians and Moldovans living in Chernivtsi oblast, is reasonably considered in the context of borderland concept. Borderland as a sociological term is very multifaceted, because it allows the researcher to talk not only about geopolitical boundaries. This allows the researcher to include socio-economic, political, and especially cultural aspects into the range of borderlands, saturated with ethnic groups, states, communities, traditions, norms and values. The state border between Ukraine, Romania and Moldova has been changed at different times. External factors directly affected interethnic relations in the region. It is no coincidence that while characterizing the political and socio-economic preconditions of interethnic interaction on the specified borderland, we use the categories “regionalism”, “borderland” and “cross-border”. All of them, to some extent, take into account local specifics, primarily in historical and social retrospect. The Ukrainian-Romanian-Moldovan borderland has been formed for a long time and is located on the periphery of large political and administrative centres. Its main characteristics include the butt character (in geographical aspect and macro-social perspective), active contacts between different ethnic groups and partially transition nature (in socio-cultural sense). Speaking of ethnic contacts at the borderland, we should remember that the dispersion of ethnic minorities forms distinct ethnic relations. The source of the difference is living of larger or smaller communities (Romanian, Moldavian, Polish or Ukrainian), surrounded by a dominant group. The study of the ethnic identities of Romanians and Moldovans living in Chernivtsi oblast began with the assumption that the process was based on language, religion, and historical memory. In order to find the answer during 2012 – 2018, more than twenty in-depth interviews were conducted in Chernivtsi oblast. The conversations covered the history of the respondent's family, ethnic, national, religious and linguistic self-identification of the interlocutor and members of his family. The emotional mood of the interlocutors, their age, professional affiliation, marital status, and individual qualities had a huge impact on the course of the conversation. As a result, interviews with 23 respondents (11 women and 12 men) aged 21-75 from Storozhynets, Novoselytsia, Hlyboka and Hertsa Raions of Chernivtsi oblast, and from the city of Chernivtsi were selected for the analysis. In the process of gathering information, it became clear that religion should not be considered as the main factor in the ethnic identification of Romanians and Moldovans. As a result, the vector of attention shifted towards language and linguistic identification. Taking into account the bond of Moldovan and Romanian languages and cultures, it was necessary to establish the role of language in the ethnic identity of Romanians and Moldovans. In addition, there is a need to determine whether it is legitimate to consider a mother tongue or a “name of language” as a tool of communication and identity in a situation where two languages are highly related. In the given context, it is important to emphasize the following: Romanians unambiguously and clearly indicate their nationality. Their native language, Romanian, plays two roles simultaneously: communicative (at the level of communication in ethnic community) and symbolic (in the situation of entering the Slavic language space). At this stage, we can trace an appearance of feeling “we” in relation to their ethnic group. Romanian narrators have an emotional sense of the border as a division between the Romanians of Chernivtsi oblast and their historical homeland. However, a clear Ukrainian state identity is formed in this group. This is reflected in the perception of a strong connection with the local community, in the statement of the desire not to change their citizenship status and do not go to live abroad, even to Romania. The above mentioned confirms the opinion of some scholars that the acquisition of Romanian citizenship status by Romanians in Ukraine was not due to the desire to change the state identity, but the aspiration to simplify the crossing of the state border for economic relations and unimpeded movement through Europe. This aspect needs special attention in the course of subsequent empirical investigations. As a result, the role of the administrative boundary, which is often present in respondents’ narratives, may also change. Secondly, the specifics of symbolic role of the native language should be also mentioned. The point is that, despite studying in Romanian schools, the language standards of the Romanian language in Ukraine differ from the language standards in Romania itself. Accordingly, there is a stress factor when communicating with compatriots from abroad. The politicization of ethnic processes in modern Ukraine, as well as Romania’s activity towards foreign Romanians leads to the strengthening of the ethnic identity of Chernivtsi oblast Romanians. In narratives, this is manifested in the emphasis on kinship, even the statement that Moldovans and Romanians are one ethnic group. In general, some of the above aspects also apply to Chernivtsi oblast Moldovans. Particularly, it is about the role of interethnic contacts and the importance of Ukrainian language in the formation of one’s own ethnic identity. The use of two names by Moldovans to denote their mother tongue – either Moldovan or Romanian – leads to several important conclusions. First of all, it is about the desire to emphasize the difference. This also correlates with the results of studies conducted in Moldova, in particular that among Moldovan population of the country, national self-identification is a difficult issue, especially at the beginning of 2000 s. However, the development of Moldovan and Romanian culture in different geopolitical areas has influenced the further identification of citizens in both countries. And this process continues. Consequently, in relation to Chernivtsi oblast Moldovans, it is legitimate to claim the existence of a peculiar ethnic frustration among some of them. The causes of frustration can be linked to the problems in Moldova itself. For Ukrainian Moldovans the source of information about their compatriots is television as well as personal, family, friendly or economic contacts. As a post-Soviet country, Moldova is often associated with a country in which economic and social problems are similar to the problems in Ukraine. At the same time, its attractiveness as a potential labour market and emigration is very low. Today, the extent and depth of this phenomenon is difficult to determine, but this aspect requires additional attention in further research.