War in Ukraine: FDP demands offer to Russian deserters

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A Russian convoy in Crimea on February 24, 2022

Photo: Sergei Malgavko / ITAR-TASS / IMAGO

Several members of the FDP parliamentary group have called on Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser to campaign in Brussels for an admission program for deserting Russian soldiers.

"We are promoting a joint EU initiative to accept deserters from the Russian armed forces," says a letter from the first parliamentary secretary, Johannes Vogel, and Konstantin Kuhle, the deputy leader of the parliamentary group responsible for internal security, to the SPD politician.

The letter is available to SPIEGEL.

Vogel and Kuhle refer to corresponding demands from Poland, Slovenia and the Czech Republic.

"We must implement a common asylum policy for Russian soldiers who refuse to serve the criminal regime in Moscow," wrote Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the end of March in a ten-point plan published by the Politico portal.

»Contribution to the weakening of Russian troops in Ukraine«

A program coordinated at European level "would be many times greater in its signaling effect than a simple reference to the applicable asylum law," the FDP politicians justify their initiative.

Such an admission program for deserters could also "contribute to weakening the Russian troops in Ukraine," the letter says.

“That is why we are committed to sending a clear message to the soldiers of the Russian army: Those who decide to turn their backs on Putin's war, no longer want to be part of an army that commits war crimes and desert must a chance for comprehensive protection in Europe.« The letter was sent on April 12, ie before Easter.

The Federal Ministry of the Interior initially did not comment on request.

In their letter, Vogel and Kuhle also demand that members of the opposition, human rights activists and journalists who are currently campaigning for freedom, peace and democracy in Russia under the most dangerous conditions "can easily receive asylum in the European Union if the requirements are met".

It should be borne in mind that Russians, unlike Ukrainians, cannot enter the European Union without a visa and are also not covered by the mass influx directive.

"Here, too, a procedure coordinated at European level would be desirable," said the two FDP politicians.

Vogel, who is also deputy FDP chairman, had already pointed out the need for an admission program for Russian deserters in mid-March.

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