Russia’s destruction of energy facilities in Ukraine is raising fears that more refugees will flock to Europe this winter. The EU is intensifying preparations for their reception.
By depriving Ukraine of electricity and heating, Russia is trying to provoke a new “wave of displacement,” President Volodymyr Zelensky warned at the EU leaders’ summit on Friday night:
The massive shelling that began on October 10 destroyed more than 30% of power generation capacity, according to Ukrainian authorities. As a result, Kyiv and other cities have had to resort to rolling blackouts, and there have been interruptions in water supply in some areas of the capital.
Taking into account the new situation, the European Commission is adjusting its anti-crisis migration policy measures, taking into account a possible worsening of the situation at the bloc’s eastern border this winter, an EU official said. According to him, the EC is generally confident in its readiness for a possible influx of new refugees; The commission also helps Ukraine take care of people who have lost their shelter or electricity supply.
Before the summit, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas warned of the risk of “very strong migration pressure on the EU.”
“We must find a solution that will help Ukraine rebuild its infrastructure and protect it,” Kallas said. For Ukraine to do this, NATO countries must ensure the supply of necessary air defense systems, she added.
EU leaders intend to ‘step up humanitarian aid’ [Украине]in particular in preparation for winter,” says the draft document following the summit, which is due to end on Friday.
Poland presented Brussels with a list of equipment agreed with Kiev for the repair of power plants and infrastructure destroyed by Russia with the help of Iranian kamikaze drones. It includes fuses, transformers, electrical cables, diesel generators.
A Polish official involved in negotiations with the EC said:
The commission is already coordinating charitable supplies of electrical equipment by the bloc countries and hopes that private companies will join the process. But the rapid restoration of the destroyed infrastructure will require additional funds – more than 17 billion euros, Zelensky told EU leaders.
Previously, the EU promised Ukraine 9 billion euros, but due to delays in approval, only part of this money has been allocated so far. The EC is developing a plan that will provide more sustainable funding of up to €18 billion in 2023.
6.036 million Ukrainian refugees have returned to their homes, according to the latest report from the International Organization for Migration, including 22% from abroad (as of September 26). In total, there are 6.24 million internally displaced persons within the country, and 7.65 million abroad.