Since 24 Feb 2022, helping Ukraine has become an utmost important question not only in Europe but also around the world. A number of foreign countries are sending various kinds of aid shipments to war-torn Ukraine. In the field of humanitarian aid and charity some countries act quietly, while others, on the contrary, loudly emphasize their support and it can be seen in the news on a daily basis.
First of all, let’s see some facts.
· Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine more than 6,000,000 people have been forced to flee Ukraine. (During the same period, an estimated 1,5 million have returned to Ukraine.)
· The primary routes of the refugees head to Schengen countries, neighboring Ukraine. The total amount of people who arrived in Poland, Hungary and Slovakia exceeding 4,2 million. (However, this figure is a bit confusing, because a large number of people has moved onwards to other countries, mainly to Western Europe.)
· Since 24th February no significant changes have been observed in the main routes of the refugees.
· The number of Ukrainians fleeing their country has been constantly growing since the beginning of the war.
For your information, here are the main figures of refugee influx in certain countries, as well as some additional information regarding the main components of the assistance, including humanitarian aid, arms, political support / sanctions against Russia — such aspects, I consider to be important to judge the situation, and also to understand the efforts of the most concerned countries.
Ø By mid-May 2022, Poland has accepted more than 3,25 million Ukrainian refugees. Poland sends humanitarian convoys to Ukraine on a regular basis, in addition, it sends weapons to support Kyiv’s struggle against Russia. Warsaw is trying to do its best to support Ukraine in the transatlantic community. It also calls for more severe sanctions against Russia, including immediate and full-scale ban on Russian oil and gas.
Ø The number of Ukrainians who fled to Romania is about 890,000. (Most of them has moved onward to the West.) Bucharest takes part in humanitarian activities. After that Romania offered its old MIGs for Ukraine at the beginning of the war, the government of the Balkan country seems to stay away from the conflict. Romania supports all kinds of EU sanctions against Russia.
Ø In the third place, one can find Hungary with more than 700,000 Ukrainian refugees. Hungary regularly sends humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including medical supplies, but refuses to allow shipments of lethal weapons via its territory and borders with Ukraine. In vindication of this position, the Hungarian government says that sending weapons may be dangerous for Hungarians living in the Transcarpathian region. On the political field, Budapest joined all EU sanctions against Russia, but now, as for the 6th package of sanctions, it makes a protest against full-scale and immediate oil ban, saying that this would cripple the Hungarian economy, which is largely dependent on Russian energy resources.
Ø The Republic of Moldova (a non-EU country), with its 460,000 refugees from Ukraine, also appears to be an important destination. Although, this relatively large-scale influx may soon stop, following the recent deterrent rocketing of a radio-transmitting station and a telecommunication tower located on the territory of Transnistria, a breakaway ’republic’ in Moldova; verbal threats of Moscow to Chisinau also contribute to reducing the number of refugees. As for Moldova, it makes no sense to talk about substantial political support for Ukraine, at the same time, Moldova’s statements about its readiness to join the EU, may cause tensions in the region.
Ø Finally, it is worth mentioning Slovakia, which has accepted 406,000 refugees from Ukraine so far. In addition to humanitarian aid, Bratislava sends weapons to Ukraine, and supports the anti-Russia sanctions, as well, although it should be noted that, similarly to Hungary (the Czech Republic and Bulgaria) Slovakia also calls for at least postponing the embargo on Russian oil supplies, referring to its own significant dependency on Russian petroleum.
It is important to note that there are no significant differences in the types, volumes and values of the aid, provided to Ukraine and the Ukrainian refugees by the afore-mentioned EU member states. (Moldova’s efforts focused on providing help to those who arrived on its territory.) In all countries, refugees are provided with accommodation, food, and access to the labour market, etc., and the humanitarian convoys’ composition is pretty much the same.
However, it is necessary to emphasize the cross-border humanitarian activities of three countries, namely Poland, Hungary and Romania, since they try to supply full border regions. Thus, Poland is a main actor in helping the Lviv region, Hungary is responsible mainly for the relieves to the Transcarpathian region, and Romania is the No1 caretaker for the Chernivtsi region. This is a huge responsibility, because many Ukrainians, who have been forced to move inside the country, go to Western Ukraine.
At this point, it should be noted that besides waging war against Russia, Kyiv should focus on ensuring that the humanitarian convoys with food and medical supply can reach not only Western Ukraine and Kyiv, but Southeast of Ukraine as well. According to the reports of my friends and acquaintances, in most cases, the aid cannot get further than Kyiv. Considering, that since 2014, this is the hardest hit region where people suffer the most, it is terribly upsetting. Kyiv should keep in mind that everyone who needs help must be guaranteed equal rights!
Finally, let me thank all countries for their help to Ukraine, regardless the composition and the value of their humanitarian aid shipments. Any country that helps Ukraine by any means in this extremely difficult situation deserves respect and gratitude for the precious help.
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