Europe faces a dilemma for Russians fleeing Putin’s draft

BRUSSELS – The European Union faces a difficult balancing act on how to deal Russians fleeing military mobilization, Some countries will try to block entry, while others will offer shelter.

President Vladimir Putin’s Wednesday Order call in hundreds of thousands to fight in Ukraine A mob of Russian men appeared to scramble for an exit to avoid going to the front lines.

Flights to countries that allow visa-free entry for Russians, mainly to neighboring former Soviet countries, Almost fully booked despite skyrocketing prices. Columns were also reported at some borders.

So far, the numbers arriving in the EU look modest. Because the EU had already cut back on travel from Russia by banning direct flights from Russia and tightening visa rules. triggering the invasion of Ukraine.

Finland, the only Member State to have opened its borders with Moscow, reported: The day after Putin’s announcement, arrivals from Russia doubled to 6,470.

However, despite its small scale, the issue has sparked controversy in Brussels.

The Baltic states and Poland are already ahead of other EU countries by severely restricting the entry of Russians with visas. Lead the hawks.

Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Linkevich wrote on Twitter: “Many Russians fleeing Russia for mobilization did not mind killing Ukrainians. They did not protest at the time.” “There are considerable security risks in allowing them, and many countries outside the EU will go.”

Estonia’s Interior Minister Lauri Rahnemets told local media that deserters should not be protected.

“It would fundamentally contradict the purpose of all previous sanctions: the shared responsibility of Russian citizens,” he said.

Finland signaled on Friday that it was following the same path by announcing that it would “significantly restrict the entry of Russian citizens” after an increase in arrivals following President Putin’s orders.

“Overthrow Putin”

Germany, by contrast, suggested on Thursday that it may be ready to accept Russians fleeing conscription.

“Defectors who are seriously threatened with repression are in principle entitled to international protection in Germany,” Interior Minister Nancy Feser told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

“Anyone who has the courage to oppose the Putin regime and is at great risk thereby can apply for asylum on grounds of political persecution,” she said.