The Baltic countries categorically refuse to welcome Russian deserters
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis at a Security Council meeting at the UN on September 22, 2022. AP - Mary Altaffer
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1 min
Since the announcement of mobilization in Russia by Vladimir Putin, many Russians have left the country to escape it.
The three Baltic countries oppose a categorical "niet" to those who would like to come and take refuge there.
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With our correspondent in Vilnius,
Marielle Vitureau
“
Lithuania will not grant asylum to those who shirk their responsibility.
The Russians must stay and fight.
Against Putin
”, specifies the Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs on social networks.
Since Vladimir Putin's announcements, the three Baltic countries have maintained their course of action.
Already worried by the massive arrival of Russians fleeing the war, for the past week they have prohibited entry into their territory to Russians in possession of a Schengen visa.
“
Estonia is not a haven for convenience refugees from an aggressor state
,” asserts Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister of Estonia.
The Baltic countries have large Russian-speaking communities and tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees.
The arrival of Russian deserters
could make the situation very tense.
Their long border with Russia, more than 800 kilometers, also makes them very vulnerable.
If the military threat is still low, the announcement of the mobilization has deteriorated the security situation in the region, believes the adviser to the Lithuanian president for national security.
The three Baltic countries are therefore sticking to their position.
► To read also: "People were in shock": in Russia, the partial mobilization causes panic
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