Ukrainian refugees in Lithuania are one of the largest groups that have moved to the country since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. As of today, more than 74,000 Ukrainians live in Lithuania, most of whom came as forced refugees due to the war. Lithuanian society as a whole shows a positive attitude towards Ukrainians, which is significantly different from the general attitude towards other groups of migrants.
Results of the study of attitudes towards migrants
According to the results of a survey conducted by the Vilnius office of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Ukrainians received the highest approval rating among various groups of migrants in Lithuania. This was reported by LRT. Respondents rated Ukrainians an average of 7 points out of 10. This is significantly higher than the ratings of other migrant groups, such as Belarusians (5/10) or labor migrants from Central Asia (4.83/10). Migrants from the Middle East and those who crossed the Lithuanian-Belarusian border in 2021 scored even lower.
Reasons for a positive attitude towards Ukrainians
Despite the general deterioration of the attitude towards migrants in Lithuania, the positive perception of Ukrainians indicates their successful integration into society. Eitvydas Bingelis, the head of the IOM representative office in Lithuania, noted that Ukrainians are actively studying the Lithuanian language, getting a job or opening their own business. This not only contributes to their social inclusion, but also makes them valuable participants in the Lithuanian economy.
“Although the attitude towards migrants in general has worsened, Ukrainians are still perceived positively, which shows that they integrate well into Lithuanian society by learning the language, working as employees or opening their own business,” – Bingelis stressed.
Integration measures and their meaning
Special attention in the study is paid to measures of integration of Ukrainians into Lithuanian society. The majority of respondents (65%) consider Lithuanian language courses to be the most important means of integration. Among other measures, the respondents mentioned assistance in processing documents (40%), organization of educational and extracurricular activities for children (31%), as well as professional training and assessment of skills in the labor market (29%).
The long-term future of Ukrainians in Lithuania
Interestingly, half of the surveyed Lithuanians believe that Ukrainian refugees who have learned the language and found work should be allowed to stay in Lithuania even after the end of the war. Another 34% of respondents are not against Ukrainians staying if they wish. At the same time, 10% expressed the opinion that Ukrainians should return to their homeland after the end of the war.
Contrast with the situation in other countries
The Lithuanian experience of treating Ukrainian refugees contrasts markedly with the situation in other countries. For example, in Poland, support for the admission of Ukrainians is gradually decreasing, reaching new lows. Germany is also discussing the possibility of reducing aid to refugees from Ukraine, although a significant number of them are already working and integrating into society.
Thus, Lithuania demonstrates a relatively high level of solidarity and support, which is an important example for other European countries. Despite the challenges, Ukrainian refugees in Lithuania remain a positive example of successful adaptation. Their efforts in language learning, employment and contribution to the development of local communities help to form a favorable attitude on the part of Lithuanians. This, in turn, contributes to a more harmonious coexistence and strengthening of social ties between different population groups.
