For more than a year, European countries have been facing large-scale waves of refugees, particularly from Ukraine and Syria. The war in Ukraine, Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure, and the escalation of conflicts in the Middle East are putting additional pressure on European support systems. With the onset of winter, the number of displaced persons is expected to increase significantly, especially if critical infrastructure is further destroyed. Germany, as one of the main receiving countries, has started negotiations with other states regarding the effective distribution of Ukrainian refugees and ensuring proper conditions for their stay.
The German approach to the distribution of refugees
The Minister of the Interior of Germany, Nancy Feser, is on the air of the TV channel World stated that the German government is actively discussing with neighboring countries the possibility of coordinating the placement of Ukrainian refugees. This decision became relevant against the background of a potential increase in the number of people who will be forced to leave their homes due to the escalation of hostilities and the destruction of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Feser stressed that Germany is ready to take responsibility for supporting displaced persons, but to avoid overloading social systems, joint responsibility of all European countries is necessary.
Consultations with other states
According to Nancy Feser, negotiations are underway not only with the countries of the European Union, but also with Turkey, which can play an important role in accommodating potential refugees from Syria. The issue of the distribution of Ukrainian refugees is being discussed with neighboring countries, such as Poland, the Czech Republic and other states that have already accepted a large number of people from the conflict zone. Germany strives to create an effective system for the redistribution of refugees, which will allow them to provide decent living conditions, access to medical care and education.
The current situation with Ukrainian refugees in Europe
As of September 2024, more than 4.2 million Ukrainians have used the status of temporary protection in the EU. Germany (1.13 million people), Poland (979.84 thousand) and the Czech Republic (378.48 thousand) accepted the largest number of refugees. In Germany, Ukrainians make up more than a quarter of all refugees in the EU, which indicates significant pressure on the country’s social structures. Poland also plays a key role, although since the beginning of the war it has increasingly emphasized the need for financial support from the EU to meet the needs of refugees.
Despite the developed social infrastructure, Germany faces numerous difficulties. The growing costs of maintaining refugees, the burden on the labor market, as well as the integration of new arrivals into society remain the main challenges. The government needs to find a balance between providing assistance to Ukrainians and meeting the needs of its own citizens. In this context, cooperation with other countries becomes a key condition for stabilizing the situation.
Forecasts regarding migration flows
The National Bank of Ukraine predicts that migration flows from the country will continue to grow. If earlier it was expected that the number of migrants would decrease in 2024, now estimates indicate an outflow of up to 700,000 people in the next two years. The reasons for this are the difficult economic situation, lack of stability and the consequences of infrastructure destruction.
Europe is faced with a complex challenge that requires coordination of actions between all the countries of the region. Germany plays a leading role in this process, considering both short-term and long-term solutions for the accommodation of Ukrainian refugees. At the same time, the prospect of returning displaced persons to their homes when it becomes possible remains important. International cooperation and support for Ukrainians is not only a humanitarian duty, but also an investment in the stability of future Europe.
