WaPo: support for Ukrainian refugees in Europe is declining
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The newspaper questions the extent to which Europe is able to receive Ukrainian refugees.
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Ukrainian refugees gather at a train station in Poland
According to a report published by the US-based newspaper The Washington Post, European support for the displaced Ukrainians and refugees who are being hosted or expected to be hosted by European countries has declined as the war in Ukraine approaches the end of its first year.
The report pointed out that "the energy crisis in Europe, the high prices of fuel and natural gas, in addition to the crisis of inflation, high prices and the cost of living, have all become an obstacle for Europeans who want to provide financial support to Ukrainians coming to their country."
"A European citizen who was able to host or secure a rent allowance for a Ukrainian family is now in a difficult situation," the report added.
Read more: Ukraine received over $120bln in Western assistance in 2022
"He is no longer able to secure his basic needs, or he secures them with difficulty," the news outlet said, questioning the extent of which the European Union can receive Ukrainians.
According to WaPo citing a report released by the UNCHR, "over 2 million Ukrainian refugees have settled in western or southern Europe, but many prefer to stay in countries neighboring Ukraine, such as Poland, Hungary, Moldova, and Romania."
The Europeans are less enthusiastic about supporting the Ukrainians
Earlier in November, a poll conducted by the newspaper revealed Germans' deep cultural aversion to military intervention in Ukraine, noting that "Russia – in its attempt to use energy as a weapon – has reduced gas supplies to Europe. As a result, prices have soared to ten times their previous levels and supplies are simply running out."
The impact of the war in Ukraine led to fear in Germany of continuing to support the Ukrainians, the poll showed.
The newspaper concluded from the polls that energy prices are not the main issue. It turns out, as other polls have found, that while the Germans support Ukraine's fight against the Russian military operation, they believe that "Germany has already done enough."
Read more: Support for Ukraine bringing 'hard times' for Europe: Stoltenberg
There are, "two factors -- their historical memory of German aggression in World War II and concern about the costs of hosting refugees -- matter more than energy prices in German public opinion about helping Ukraine," the news outlet said.
Another report published by WaPo in October revealed that the EU is lagging on its commitments to provide Ukrainian refugees with appropriate accommodation, jobs, and schooling for their children.
About 3 million Ukrainians returned to Ukraine, either because it seemed safe enough or because life as a refugee was just too much to bear, the report added.
The newspaper concluded by saying warning that while the war continues and its cascading effects are hitting across the continent, the transition from temporary relief to long-term support puts the commitments of the European Union bloc to the test.
Since the beginning of Russia's military operation in Ukraine, the EU sought to contain Russia through the imposition of various sanctionary and punitive mechanisms.
But due to the EU's overreliance on Russian gas, anti-Russian sanctions have caused more damage to EU citizens than they did to Russia, and as EU governments struggle to find alternatives to Russian oil, the masses are taking to the streets to voice their opposition to the war in Ukraine.
