Ukraine announces troop withdrawal from Sieverodonetsk

Ukrainian politician warns against hasty return

Warnings are coming from Ukraine against a hasty return about five million war refugeesthat were recorded in Europe. “There are two essential requirements: We have to find ways and means to rebuild the destroyed infrastructure, at least partially. And where they are going, a functioning anti-missile defense system is needed – just as it more or less exists for Kyiv now,” said Olena Sotnyk, adviser to Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna, after talks in Berlin.

As a further prerequisite, Olena Haluschka, board member of the Ukrainian organization Anticorruption Action Center, clearing mines and hidden booby traps in areas that the Ukrainian side has recaptured from the Russian army. At their meetings with German politicians, the two women reported that the main thing they had urged was a rapid delivery of more weapons. They described the fact that the anti-tank howitzers promised by Germany had now arrived at the front as a “turning point”.

The two meetings with members of the Bundestag and representatives of the Bertelsmann Foundation made positive comments about Berlin’s support for Ukraine’s status as a candidate for EU membership. Of the fight against corruption Haluschka assured that things would continue in her home country despite the war. Since the Russian invasion began on February 24, nine judgments have been issued and the equivalent of more than 14 million euros confiscated.

In connection with the war in Ukraine, 875,000 new arrivals have so far been recorded in the Central Register of Foreigners. The numbers are not entirely reliable because some have since returned. In addition, Ukrainian refugees can enter the country without a visa and do not have to report to the authorities immediately. In the past few days, the federal police have found around 1,000 entries a day. On some days in March and April, ten times as many refugees came to Germany from Ukraine. (dpa)