The European Union is “
fully prepared
” to welcome Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian offensive, who are “
welcome
”, declared European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday 24 February.
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“
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 EU chief executive.
“
We hope there will be as few refugees as possible, but we are fully prepared to welcome them and they are welcome
,” she added.
She said the EU was providing humanitarian support to Ukraine to meet the needs of internally displaced people.
Ukraine will benefit from increased financial support, in addition to the financial assistance of 1.2 billion euros which is currently available, she underlined.
“Five million
additional people displaced
”
The US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, estimated on Wednesday that the conflict triggered by Russia with Ukraine could result in "
a new refugee crisis
" with "
up to 5 million additional people displaced
".
Poland, Slovakia, Romania and Hungary are EU countries bordering Ukraine.
Poland, which is already home to around 1.5 million Ukrainian nationals, has expressed its support for the big eastern neighbor and its willingness to help it.
The 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
”.
Read alsoUkraine: Europe in search of a strong response to Putin
Slovakia, which shares its eastern border with Ukraine, also assures us that it is ready to reach out to him.
Romania, which is among the poorest countries in Europe, said it did not expect many Ukrainians to flee to its territory, but was ready to take in half million.
Even Hungary, whose Prime Minister Viktor Orban is known for his tough stance on immigration, seemed ready to welcome refugees.
