Olha Stefanishyna and European Commissioner Ylva Johansson discussed migration challenges against the background of russia’s missile terror
On November 6, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna met online with EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson.
The parties discussed the current security situation in Ukraine, in particular the consequences of the latest wave of russian missile attacks on critical infrastructure, as well as opportunities to help Ukrainians during the winter period.
“russia is using all its ammunition in agony. This was the eighth wave of attacks on critical and municipal infrastructure. However, today, thanks to the support of partners, Ukraine is better prepared to defend its skies. russia launched more than 70 missiles and our air forces shot down more than 60. The situation remains under control. However, russia continues to destroy critical infrastructure, and we still need more missile and air defense systems,” Olha Stefanishyna said.
The official stressed that russians are trying to plan attacks in such a way as to delay repair of damaged infrastructure and leave people without water, heating and electricity in winter. This may force people to flee to the EU again to escape the cold.
In turn, European Commissioner Ylva Johansson reaffirmed the support of the European Union for Ukraine and the importance of counteracting russia’s attempts to undermine this support. The participants of the meeting discussed joint steps to plan the necessary measures, in particular logistical ones, in case of increased migration from Ukraine to the EU. Olha Stefanishyna and Ylva Johansson also discussed the signing of the Agreement on the status of Frontex representatives in order to use the agency’s capabilities to address certain issues at the borders.
Besides, the European Commissioner and the Deputy Prime Minister discussed the issue of recognizing Ukrainian documents in the EU countries, in particular certificates of disability, as well as documents on guardianship over children separated from their families or children deprived of parental care. During the conversation the parties raised the issue of possible identification and restoration of documents of persons, in particular children, who disappeared during the hostilities, including those who were forcibly transferred to the territory of russia.
Olha Stefanishyna and Ylva Johansson also discussed the issue of education of Ukrainian children abroad. The Deputy Prime Minister informed about the possibilities of Ukrainian online education for children abroad. “We have invested a lot of efforts to organize this process in Ukrainian schools. This is positive for both Ukraine and the EU, as it reduces the burden on your education system. We see that this format is in demand, and it is also a good signal that people are planning to return to Ukraine,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
Olha Stefanishyna thanked the European partners for the coordination and automation of all processes that today allow to quickly resolve urgent issues related to protection of the rights and support of Ukrainian citizens who have received temporary protection in the EU member states.