To prevent remaining in Europe: Ukraine’s Migration Service asks other governments not to integrate refugees from Ukraine

The Migration Service of Ukraine is urging governments of countries where millions of Ukrainian refugees have fled following the full-scale invasion by Russia not to create corresponding integration programs for them.

This was disclosed by the head of the agency, Natalia Naumenko, in an interview.

Up to 8 million Ukrainian citizens may be residing abroad. Naumenko believes this figure is somewhat overstated. This information primarily comes from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which classifies such individuals as refugees.

“We do not classify them as refugees. We view them as people who have been forced to leave Ukraine,” explained the agency’s leader.

Colleagues from migration services in other countries, as Naumenko noted, support her in this matter. Currently, almost all Ukrainian citizens have received temporary protection status in the countries where they are located. She expressed regret that this status is constantly being extended.

Naumenko explained that each such extension of temporary protection represents a significant risk. According to her, appropriate integration measures will influence the fact that such families will not return to Ukraine.

The head of the Migration Service pointed out that the state should create normal competitive conditions for people to return. The specific mechanisms she has in mind are unknown.

“As for how successful this will be, it’s hard for me to say,” she added.

As of September 26, 2023, there were approximately 5.8 million refugees who had left Ukraine in European countries. Worldwide, there are an estimated 6.2 million Ukrainian refugees. The largest number of such citizens are concentrated in Germany, Poland, the United States, and Canada. Statistical data is primarily based on information provided by government authorities. For statistical purposes, the UN uses the term “refugees” broadly, referring to all individuals who left Ukraine due to the massive invasion of Russian forces in February 2022.

It’s worth noting that on September 27, some rules are changing in the Czech Republic for Ukrainian refugees. In Prague, free transportation will be canceled for most citizens. Ukrainian refugees and residents of the Czech capital can purchase transportation passes for 30, 90, or 365 days. The cost depends on the type of pass selected.