Latvia and Finland say they are unlikely to accommodate Russians fleeing to avoid partial mobilization. Some Western nations have suggested they will not provide asylum or refuge to people fleeing Russia after President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization of reservists. Latvia will not accommodate Russians fleeing amid Russia Ukraine War followed by referendums in different territories.
In a televised address on Wednesday, Putin, after speaking about Moscow’s nuclear weapons, warned Western countries that Russia will use all the means at its disposal to protect its territory, saying “this not a bluff”.
Latvia declared it would not provide asylum to any Russians:
Soon after, the bordering country of Latvia declared it would not provide asylum to any Russians trying to flee Moscow’s mobilization of soldiers. “Due to security reasons, Latvia will not provide humanitarian or other forms of visas to those Russian citizens who evade mobilization,” said Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics on Twitter.
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Finland’s defense minister added that the government was keeping a close eye on the situation in neighboring Russia and that there were reasons to tighten Finland’s visa requirements for Russian nationals. “Regarding Finland’s surroundings, I can say that the military situation is stable and calm,” Defence Minister Antti Kaikkonen said. “Our defense forces are well prepared and the situation is closely monitored.”
Russia’s defense minister told a state media outlet the mobilization will see some 300,000 additional personnel called up to serve in Ukraine. Other nations including the United States, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom condemned the move.
Ukraine’s presidential adviser said the Russian decision was an “absolutely predictable appeal” and evidence that the war was “clearly not going” Moscow’s way.
The order for mobilization came a day after Putin gave his support to referendums on joining Russia that will be held in the coming days in four Ukrainian regions controlled by Russian troops, the first step to formally annexing a chunk of Ukraine the size of Hungary. Western nations have dismissed the votes as a shame.
Donetsk (DPR) and the Luhansk People’s Republics (LPR), which Putin recognized as independent just before the invasion began on February 24, and Russian-installed officials in the Kherson and Zaporizhia regions, have announced plans for votes.
“We will support the decision on their future, which will be made by the majority of residents in the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, Zaporizhia, and Kherson,” Putin said.
As reported by the Media Team of the Youth Diplomacy Forum
