Germany has granted protection to a high number of citizens of Russia since the beginning of the war in Ukraine in 2022, citing personal danger as the primary reason.
According to the data provided by the German government, in the last two years, the country has granted residence permits under international law and humanitarian grounds to a total of 2,035 Russians.
In addition to granting protection, dpa explains that Germany continues to register a high number of asylum applications filed by Russians.
Data show that an average of nearly 190 Russian men between the ages of 18 and 45 apply for asylum in Germany every month.
Nonetheless, the acceptance rate for Russian asylum seekers remains low, with only a small proportion of them being granted the status.
In January of this year, the adjusted protection rate for male Russian applicants stood at around ten per cent, marking a decline from the previous year’s figure of around 25 per cent.
Taking into account such rates, left-wing lawmaker Clara Bünger has criticised Chancellor Olaf Scholz for allegedly failing to keep promises to offer refuge to those who do not want to participate in the Russian war against Ukraine.
Bünger has urged the government to extend “generous protection” not only to military deserters but also to Russians who are strongly against the war.
As the conflict persists, the approach of Germany to providing sanctuary to those who are affected by the situation remains under scrutiny, with calls for a more inclusive and generous asylum policy.
Apart from Germany, other EU countries have also provided protection for Russians fleeing the country for the purpose of not participating in the war.
As for diplomats and other people, the EU approved the 13th package of sanctions yesterday.
As part of its 13 package of sanctions, the EU has introduced restrictions against nearly 200 entities and individuals who have been accused of helping Russia procure weapons or of involvement in kidnapping Ukrainian children.
Individuals who have been listed on the new sanctions list will be banned from entering the EU territory.
As for the entities, they will be prohibited from carrying out business activities in the bloc, and EU citizens are forbidden from making funds available to them.
The companies that have been added to the sanctions list are three Chinese firms and a Hong Kong-based company. The package will be approved on February 24.
