The EU states are still looking for a common line in dealing with Russian conscientious objectors who want to leave their homeland.
A first crisis meeting of the 27 EU ambassadors on Monday brought no solution. The EU Commission was asked to “review, evaluate and, if necessary, update the latest guidelines on issuing visas, taking into account the security concerns of the Member States,” the current Czech EU Council Presidency said afterwards.
After Russia announced partial mobilization in the war against Ukraine last week, the issue of possible deserters and conscientious objectors poses a challenge for the EU. Germany and other countries are pushing for a unified line.
Faeser wants asylum for deserters
However, the positions are sometimes far apart. Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser promised deserters asylum. The Baltic States and Poland strictly refuse to accept these people. Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis wrote on Twitter that his country would not grant asylum to those “who only run away from responsibility”. “The Russians should stay and fight. Against Putin.”
A spokeswoman for the EU Commission said on Monday that it was in contact with the member states. A working-level meeting is planned for Tuesday, which would also be attended by the EU agencies responsible for migration and security.
