A message of solidarity… and unity. Europe speaks – for the moment – with one voice on the issue of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian offensive launched Thursday by Vladimir Putin. The European Union (EU) is “fully prepared” to welcome them and they are “welcome”, declared Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday.
“With all Member States on the front line, we now have clearly defined contingency plans to immediately receive and accommodate refugees from Ukraine,” said the President of the European Commission. She clarified that the EU was providing humanitarian support to Ukraine to meet the needs of internally displaced people.
- Some 100,000 people fled to Ukraine and thousands more abroad
About 100,000 people have already had to flee their homes and could be displaced inside Ukraine, and several thousand more have left the country, the target since Thursday morning of a Russian military offensive, the UN said. Thursday. “We cannot confirm the exact figures yet, but it is clear that there has been significant movement within the country and some movement across borders,” a spokeswoman told AFP. of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Shabia Mantoo.
Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, announced earlier in the day the strengthening of UNHCR operations and capacities in Ukraine and border states. He also called on the governments of countries neighboring Ukraine “to keep the borders open for people seeking safety and protection”.
- Up to five million additional people displaced?
Before the attack by the Russian army, the American ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield had warned Wednesday before the United Nations General Assembly that the conflict triggered by Russia with Ukraine could result in “a new refugee crisis” with, “according to our estimates”, “up to five million additional displaced people”.
For his part, Jean-Yves Le Drian raised this subject this Friday morning on France Inter, without however wanting to communicate figures. “It is clear that the pressure on Kiev will lead to significant movements, particularly towards Poland. Europeans will be there to show solidarity and welcome refugees to put us collectively in a position to welcome them”, added reacted the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He also announced a meeting on Sunday between European interior ministers to coordinate hospitality.
- Poland prepares “reception centers” for refugees
Poland, which is already home to around 1.5 million Ukrainian nationals, has expressed its support for the big neighbor to the east and its willingness to help it. Warsaw announced Thursday to open the first nine “reception centers” for Ukrainian refugees. “There will certainly be a wave of refugees,” said Polish Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski, assuring that Poland would accept “as many as there will be at our borders”, but without wanting to estimate their number.
The ministry presented the list of nine reception centers, near the main border crossings between the two countries, 535 kilometers long, in Dorohusk, Dolhobyczow, Zosin, Hrebenne (east), in Korczowa, Medyka, Budomierz, Kroscienko and Przemysl (southeast). Arrivals will be able to receive information, meals, rest and medical aid there, assured Polish officials.
The Ministry of Health indicated that “places are prepared in case of need to accommodate the injured”. “We estimate that currently it would be possible to accommodate a few thousand patients. Poland has a necessary stock of medicines,” assured the ministry in a message sent to AFP.
Ukrainian refugees, mostly women and dozens of children, also spent the night from Thursday to Friday at Przemysl station in southeastern Poland, a few kilometers from the border, after fleeing the Russian invasion, anxiously scrolling through news from the front line on their phones. “I’m from Kyiv. I heard the explosions next to my building…and quickly packed my bags, took almost everything with me,” said Olha, a 36-year-old teacher from the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute.
European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson estimated on Tuesday after talks with the Polish authorities in Warsaw that this country was “fairly well prepared to welcome a large number of Ukrainians”.
- Romania, Slovakia, Hungary: these other countries bordering Ukraine ready to help
Romania, which is one of the poorest countries in Europe, has said that it does not expect many Ukrainians to flee to its territory, but that it is ready to welcome some. half a million. Thursday, the Border Police noted an increase in the number of arrivals, identifying some 5,300 people, against 2,400 the day before.
Several hundred, including women accompanied by children, crossed the border post of Sighetul Marmatiei (north), according to images broadcast by television. “Most of them are inquiring about how to get to Poland or the Czech Republic,” said the city’s mayor, Vasile Moldovan. Because Bucharest “is absolutely not prepared”, estimates Flavius Ilioni-Loga, head of an NGO helping refugees.
Even Hungary, whose Viktor Orban is known for his tough stance on immigration, seemed ready to welcome refugees. The sovereignist Prime Minister said he expected a wave of refugees. The figure of 600,000 is mentioned, according to a map deployed during a meeting the day before and visible on his Facebook page. “We are ready to welcome them, to quickly and effectively meet this challenge,” the leader said in a video message. The government has announced the deployment of troops, for security and humanitarian aid purposes.
In addition, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz affirmed that his country is ready to “massively help” its neighbours, in particular Poland, in the event of an influx of Ukrainian refugees.