GENEVA: The UN’s migration chief urged countries Friday to boost humanitarian support for Ukraine amid worrying signs of donor fatigue, as she wrapped up her first visit to the war-torn country since taking office.
More than two years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbor, the humanitarian needs are “huge,” Amy Pope told AFP.
Over 14 million Ukrainians, or around 40 percent of the population, need aid, including nearly four million who have been displaced within the country.
Around six million others have fled Ukraine and are refugees elsewhere.
“Ordinary Ukrainians are doing a lot. People are bonding together,” Pope said in a telephone interview as she completed a five-day visit.
But she said she had acutely felt the anxiety in the country over signs that international solidarity is waning.
The United Nations overall says it needs $4.2 billion this year to provide humanitarian aid in Ukraine and to refugees who have fled, but fears a likely shortfall as the Gaza war dominates global attention.
“Everybody is worried about the humanitarian community walking away,” Pope said.
“There is a lot of anxiety about dwindling aid.”
And she acknowledged that they were right to worry.
“The message from donors is to prepare for cuts,” she said.
Pope hailed that “the European Union came through recently” with a large aid package for Ukraine, but she cautioned that “the big questions are around what the US does.”
US President Joe Biden has proposed a package of $60 billion for Ukraine, including a large humanitarian assistance component, but it remains blocked by the Republicans in Congress.
Pope urged donor countries to “stay the course” in assisting Ukraine.
“If we do not address humanitarian needs now, the problems we will face in the future will be so much greater and more costly — financially and in terms of human suffering,” she cautioned.
Pope, who met with top officials including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during her trip, said they had voiced concerns that without more assistance, the displacement crisis could become “permanent,” with dire consequences for the economy.
And she said the governors of Odessa and Mykolayiv had spoken to her about the urgent need for more bomb shelters in schools to get children back to the classroom.
Pope also highlighted the wisdom of acting early to mitigate the impacts of expected continued Russian attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure, by supplying generators and fuel ahead of next winter.
“Supporting economic survival now will mean fewer people need to leave their home or country, there will be fewer long-term entrenched problems, and Ukrainians will have greater hope and dignity as they rebuild their lives and country for the future,” she said.
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UN migration chief urges more aid to Ukraine after visit
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UN migration chief urges more aid to Ukraine after visit
- Over 14 million Ukrainians, or around 40 percent of the population, need aid, including nearly four million who have been displaced within the country
- Around six million others have fled Ukraine and are refugees elsewhere
Russia says Ukraine attacked Putin’s home, Kyiv calls this ‘lie’
KYIV: Russia accused Ukraine on Monday of having fired dozens of drones at one of President Vladimir Putin’s homes, an accusation that Ukraine called a “lie” aimed at undermining US-led efforts to end the war.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who does not typically announce drone strikes, said Ukraine had fired “91 long-range unmanned aerial vehicles” at Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region between late Sunday and early Monday, all of which were shot down.
“Given the complete degeneration of the criminal Kyiv regime, which has shifted to a policy of state terrorism, Russia’s negotiating position will be reconsidered,” Lavrov said, without elaborating.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who met with US President Donald Trump on Sunday for talks on ending the war, called Russia’s claim “a complete fabrication” designed to derail the peace process and suggested Moscow was preparing to intensify its bombardment of Ukraine.
“Russia is at it again, using dangerous statements to undermine all achievements of our shared diplomatic efforts with President Trump’s team,” the Ukrainian leader wrote on X.
Russia’s accusation comes at a pivotal moment in the peace process.
Ukraine says it has agreed to 90 percent of a US-drafted peace plan — including the issue of post-war security guarantees — though the issue of territory in a post-war settlement remains unresolved.
Russia, which has stayed silent about what parts of the US plan it has agreed to, said Monday it was still committed to the peace process but would “revise” its position in light of the alleged drone attack.
Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, describing it as a “special military operation” to demilitarise the country and prevent the expansion of NATO.
Kyiv and its European allies say the war, the largest and deadliest on European soil since World War II, is an unprovoked and illegal land grab that has resulted in a tidal wave of violence and destruction.
Territory main sticking point
Trump has held talks with both sides in recent days, including a phone call with Putin on Monday that the White House described as “positive.”
During talks with Zelensky on Sunday, Trump offered Kyiv long-sought-after security guarantees for a period of 15 years, according to Kyiv.
But the issue of territory and the future of the Moscow-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine remain unresolved, Zelensky said.
Zelensky said Monday that Kyiv was ready for “any” format of meetings — including with Putin if necessary — but said he still did not think the Kremlin chief wanted peace.
The current plan, revised after weeks of intense US-Ukrainian negotiations, would stop the war at the current frontlines in the eastern Donbas region and establish a demilitarised area.
But the Kremlin has shown no sign of compromise.
Putin said Monday that Russia was pressing ahead with its plan to capture four Ukrainian regions it announced the annexation of in 2022 and that his troops were “confidently advancing.”
Moscow on Monday said it took another village, Dibrova, in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who does not typically announce drone strikes, said Ukraine had fired “91 long-range unmanned aerial vehicles” at Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region between late Sunday and early Monday, all of which were shot down.
“Given the complete degeneration of the criminal Kyiv regime, which has shifted to a policy of state terrorism, Russia’s negotiating position will be reconsidered,” Lavrov said, without elaborating.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who met with US President Donald Trump on Sunday for talks on ending the war, called Russia’s claim “a complete fabrication” designed to derail the peace process and suggested Moscow was preparing to intensify its bombardment of Ukraine.
“Russia is at it again, using dangerous statements to undermine all achievements of our shared diplomatic efforts with President Trump’s team,” the Ukrainian leader wrote on X.
Russia’s accusation comes at a pivotal moment in the peace process.
Ukraine says it has agreed to 90 percent of a US-drafted peace plan — including the issue of post-war security guarantees — though the issue of territory in a post-war settlement remains unresolved.
Russia, which has stayed silent about what parts of the US plan it has agreed to, said Monday it was still committed to the peace process but would “revise” its position in light of the alleged drone attack.
Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, describing it as a “special military operation” to demilitarise the country and prevent the expansion of NATO.
Kyiv and its European allies say the war, the largest and deadliest on European soil since World War II, is an unprovoked and illegal land grab that has resulted in a tidal wave of violence and destruction.
Territory main sticking point
Trump has held talks with both sides in recent days, including a phone call with Putin on Monday that the White House described as “positive.”
During talks with Zelensky on Sunday, Trump offered Kyiv long-sought-after security guarantees for a period of 15 years, according to Kyiv.
But the issue of territory and the future of the Moscow-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine remain unresolved, Zelensky said.
Zelensky said Monday that Kyiv was ready for “any” format of meetings — including with Putin if necessary — but said he still did not think the Kremlin chief wanted peace.
The current plan, revised after weeks of intense US-Ukrainian negotiations, would stop the war at the current frontlines in the eastern Donbas region and establish a demilitarised area.
But the Kremlin has shown no sign of compromise.
Putin said Monday that Russia was pressing ahead with its plan to capture four Ukrainian regions it announced the annexation of in 2022 and that his troops were “confidently advancing.”
Moscow on Monday said it took another village, Dibrova, in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.
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