In the event of an invasion: fear of a gigantic wave of refugees from Ukraine

Created: 02/19/2022, 06:25

By: Cindy Boden

A soldier of the Ukrainian National Guard (left) holds his weapon ready while guarding the mobile checkpoint in Kharkiv with agents of the Ukrainian security service and police officers.

© Evgeniy Maloletka/dpa

A Russian invasion of Ukraine could trigger a wave of refugees.

The EU warns - and gives numbers.

The focus is primarily on Poland.

Kiev – The United States is talking to Russia, and Vladimir Putin* doesn't want to know much about the EU: that's how it looked at the beginning of the current Ukraine-Russia conflict.

It is about a threatening situation very close to the European Union.

Germany and France* are now also negotiating with Russia's president.

However, there are no clear signs of de-escalation.

In the event of an invasion, streams of refugees could result.

Ukraine-Russia conflict: Over a million refugees could come to the EU if invaded

In view of the growing tensions in the Ukraine conflict, the EU is now warning of possible refugee movements.

"It is estimated that between 20,000 and more than a million refugees could come," said Vice President of the EU Commission, Margaritis Schinas, with a view to a possible military escalation in the

.

The EU is "ready to mobilize significant humanitarian aid and help with civil protection".

Schinas pointed out that 20,000 EU citizens live in Ukraine alone.

There is also “a sizeable demographic that has its roots in the EU”.

The Greek EU Commissioner emphasized that refugees - as before in Belarus - could be exploited and deliberately used as a means of pressure against the EU.

Flows of refugees into the EU?

Poland in focus in Ukraine invasion by Russia

It is believed that Ukrainian refugees may initially come primarily to Poland, which shares a 535-kilometer border with Ukraine.

In the event of a conflict, the Polish government had already said it was preparing for a scenario in which up to a million Ukrainian refugees would cross the border.

There are an estimated 1.5 million Ukrainians in Poland, but only 300,000 are officially registered.

Since the annexation of Crimea by Russia and the start of the war in eastern Ukraine in 2014, Kiev itself has registered around 1.5 million displaced people.

In the event of an invasion, millions more could join them.

Although Russia emphasizes that the troop withdrawal will continue after the maneuvers, the West has so far doubted the reports.

The Munich Security Conference is largely dominated by the Ukraine-Russia crisis.

In the case of Ukraine-Russia escalation: "Huge wave of refugees" possible

Warnings also come from the Ukrainian population: "You have to be clear about one thing in Germany: if there really is an invasion, then there will be a huge wave of refugees," said Pavlo Hrosul in an interview with

.

The Ukrainian moved to Germany a few years ago at the age of 17.

He described the fear of his compatriots - but also made it clear: "Russia cannot possibly take over such a large country.

More than 40 million people live there.

There would be constant unrest.” However, Ukraine needs help immediately and is asking for weapons to defend itself.