EU urged to prepare for potential surge in Ukrainian refugees
Germany and the EU must anticipate a potential new wave of refugees from Ukraine, warn German politicians.
Suppose the progress of the Russian invasion in Ukraine results in a new exodus of refugees to the European Union. In that case, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser argued at the EU interior ministers' meeting in Brussels on Thursday (03/06/2025, Eastern Time) that the EU must establish a mechanism for the fair distribution of burdens among member states.
In her speech, she warned that the escalation of the war by Russia combined with the potential withdrawal of US aid could worsen living conditions in a defending Ukraine.
She emphasized that, if the situation demands, a mandatory and binding redistribution of Ukrainian refugees across the EU based on a fair mechanism would be necessary. While expressing hope that this would not become reality, she acknowledged it as a possible scenario.
Under a special EU directive, refugees from Ukraine do not have to apply for asylum and are automatically accepted in Union countries. According to Eurostat data from November 2024, there are 4.2 million Ukrainian refugees in the EU. The main burden of accommodating and supporting them has fallen since 2022 on three countries: Poland, the Czech Republic, and Germany, Faeser reminded at the meeting. In Germany alone, there were over 1.3 million in November; in Poland, about one million; and in the Czech Republic, about 380,000 (the most in the EU relative to the host country's citizens).
Bavarian Premier on refugees
The leader of the conservative CSU and Bavarian Premier Markus Söder also addressed Ukraine's situation during his party's rally on Ash Wednesday in Passau. He warned of the danger threatening Ukraine, which would be defenseless without US aid, as well as Europe. "I cannot speak about the details," he added.
"If things end the way [Russian President Vladimir] Putin wants, millions of Ukrainians will flee to Europe," said Söder.
He pointed out that Europe's response to Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 was insufficient, leading to the current security threats. Emphasizing the need for substantial rearmament, Söder noted the ongoing daily provocations and violations. While acknowledging that the situation does not constitute war, he stressed that the previous state of peace no longer exists.
