Ukraine’s PM Threatens Europe With 'Migration Tsunami' Unless Kiev Gets More Weapons
14:21 GMT 22.10.2022 (Updated: 16:59 GMT 22.07.2023)
© AP Photo / Frank AugsteinA woman waits near a donation box at the celebration for the Ukraine Independence day at a celebration in Chichester, south England, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022
© AP Photo / Frank Augstein
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According to Kiev, at least eight million people have already left the country since February, although some of them have since returned.
Ukrainian PM Denis Shmygal threatened Europe with a "migration tsunami" if western countries don't deliver air defense systems. In his interview to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Shmygal claimed that Russia wants to create a refugee crisis in Europe.
"Because if there is no electricity, heating or water in Ukraine, this could provoke a new migration tsunami," he said, going on to note that Kiev is eagerly awaiting for ammunition after Germany provided its IRIS-T defense systems.
© AP Photo / Efrem LukatskyUkrainian soldiers fire at Russian positions from a U.S.-supplied M777 howitzer
Ukrainian soldiers fire at Russian positions from a U.S.-supplied M777 howitzer
© AP Photo / Efrem Lukatsky
Russia started precision strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure in October after Kiev targeted the Crimean Bridge with a terrorist attack. Ukraine claimed that at least 30% of its power plants have been destroyed.
Moscow has repeatedly lambasted western countries for their weapon supplies to Kiev, noting that they are deeply involved in the conflict, and by assisting the Ukrainian regime, they only escalate proceedings. In addition, Russia noted that the weapons sent by the West are used against civilians. Kiev has frequently targeted Donbass civilians, where it has been waging an eight-year-long war against the republics of Donetsk and Lugansk.