Tens of thousands of Russians are currently fleeing their country to avoid the partial mobilization in Ukraine that Vladimir Putin wanted. “Being a conscientious objector is not in itself a reason for political asylum,” says Patrick Martin-Genier, an expert on European affairs, expressing surprise that these Russians “who want to flee have not received anything in this special operation since February 24 have to repeat”. The teacher at Sciences Po Paris and Inalco believes that “this poses a real political and ethical problem”.
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franceinfo: Are there many Russians fleeing their country?
Patrick Martin-Genier: At the moment this only affects a few thousand people. However, this poses a significant political, legal and logistical problem, especially since Europe is not on the same wavelength. We know that Germany, for example, has again decided to do everything possible to grant asylum. At the same time, some countries like Finland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia, which are countries that are very closely and completely dependent on these migration flows, oppose it. They believe that these young people who want to leave must first fight against Putin’s regime instead of fleeing. It is exactly the same position as Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian President.
There are also countries that fear that Russian spies will be smuggled in. Is it possible ?
It is extremely delicate. In fact, we cannot rule out that there are supporters, spies of Vladimir Putin in the flow of migrants. Therefore, when examining an asylum application, you have to look at it on a case-by-case basis. That’s what Germany said. Indeed, it cannot be ruled out that certain people close to Putin will infiltrate the West, the media and politics. Extreme caution should be exercised in examining these asylum applications on a case-by-case basis.
Although this will be a political issue, because the countries of the European Union are once again not on the same wavelength, they should quickly think about common criteria for examining these asylum applications. There is the Geneva Refugee Convention, but being a conscientious objector is not in itself a ground for political asylum. If all conscientious objectors asked for political asylum, they would not be fulfilling their mission. These are people who want to flee today because they will be affected by conscription, partial mobilization, while nobody has found anything wrong with this special action since February 24th. So this raises a real political and ethical problem.
Wouldn’t it still be a message to the Russians that Europe is taking them into account, thereby undermining Vladimir Putin’s speech?
Yes of course. But Vladimir Putin has absolutely nothing to do with what Europe thinks. Not for a few thousand people who will flee is likely to destabilize his regime. However, we know that there are already 10,000 recruits going to the front lines in Ukraine. I think it has absolutely nothing to do with Europe. With heavy censorship, the heavy screed in the media, the Russian people will once again be completely oblivious to the reactions of the West.