Weekly Update #52
 February 27

REFUGEE SITUATION

(as of 21 February 2023)

General Figures


Refugees from Ukraine recorded across Europe 

8,087,952

Last updated 21 Feb 2023


Refugees from Ukraine registered for Temporary Protection or similar national protection schemes in Europe 

4,863,513

Last updated 20 Feb 2023


Border crossings from Ukraine (since 24 February 2022)

18,843,973

Last updated 21 Feb 2023


Border crossings to Ukraine (since 28 February 2022)

10,438,840

Last updated 21 Feb 2023

 

Source: https://data.unhcr.org/en/situations/ukraine 



THE STATE OF THE CONFLICT:

ONE YEAR AFTER

Heavy fighting continues around Bakhmut in the Donetsk region as Russian forces seek control of the city following their capture of the settlement of Soledar on 12 January. Sporadic attacks and shelling by both sides typifies the contact line which stretches from Mykolaiv and Kherson Oblasts in the south up to Kharkiv oblast in the north-east. Waves of missile and drone continue attacks have been continuously reported in January, targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and impacting energy supplies, heating systems and the availability of piped water, as well as causing further civilian casualties.

 

Refugee figures have increased slightly over the past month with over 8.054 million individuals recorded across Europe. The number of returnees has also increased with about 5.562 million returns registered (both IDPs and refugees). IDP numbers continue their downward trend into the new year and since August, with a drop of 562K by mid - January, however there were a reported 375K individuals newly displaced within the last 30 days. For the first time returnees now out-number those internally displaced (5.352 million).

 

Throughout the month of January, the Institute for War Studies (ISW) as well as local and international press reported continued attempts of Russian forces to gain control of the city of Bakhmut in the north of Donetsk oblast. ISW reported the fall of Soledar on around 12 January, moving the Russian forces closer to the outskirts of Bakhmut where the conflict is becoming increasingly attritional in nature. Russian forces also continued to launch attacks on the city of Vuhledar in the Donetsk region and along the Svatove-Kreminna line in the Luhansk region (ISW 10/02/2023, ACLED 09/02/2023, ISW 12/01/2023

 

In early 2023, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) found that 40 per cent of the country’s total population needed humanitarian assistance, of which 56 per cent are women and girls, 23 per cent are children, and 15 per cent live with disabilities. As of January 2023, over 19 million remained affected by various forms of displacement, including 5.4 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) – 58 per cent of whom displaced for six months or more – and 5.5 million returnees – one fifth of whom returning from abroad (IOM Ukraine, General Population Survey Round 12, 23 January 2023). Over eight million Ukrainians have sought refuge across borders while 602,337 crossings of third country nationals (TCNs) were recorded from the Ukrainian border into neighboring countries (UNHCR, 2023; IOM, 2023). The total number of refugees and TCN crossings has steadily risen over the course of the crisis.

 

With the full-scale war entering year two, 63 per cent of Ukrainian nationals report intending to stay in their host country in the near future (UNHCR, December 2022). Many neighboring countries have seen large increases in population in urban areas – particularly of women and children – increasing pressure on essential services. Gaps remain to support refugees, TCNs, and countries to find mutual economic and social benefits from inclusion amid a context of continued uncertainty and depleting resources.

 

A full timeline of the conflict’s milestones since the war began a year ago can be seen in the report Ukrainian Crisis (Situation Analysis), with the link below.

Follow the 600-mile front line between Ukrainian and Russian forces

Over the last year, the war in Ukraine has morphed from a multi-front invasion that included Kyiv in the north to a conflict of attrition largely concentrated along a 600-mile stretch in the east and south.

Ukrainian troops pushed the Russians back from Kyiv last spring. Russian President Vladimir Putin then shifted the focus of his military’s fighting to what is now the front line, while still launching airstrikes across the country. Analysts note that Moscow’s capabilities appear to be declining — though it now has more than 320,000 troops in Ukraine, according to Ukrainian and Western intelligence, roughly double the number at the start of the invasion.

The front line pivots about 30 miles away from Donetsk, moving southwest.

Infrastructure and geography could have a major impact on Ukraine and Russia’s ability to gain territory across this stretch. For example, the Dnieper River is a significant barrier to both sides.

This region is also of particular importance to Putin, who wants to secure a “land bridge” between mainland Russia and Crimea. The bridge connecting Crimea with Russia has been attacked by Ukraine.

Western governments have sent weapons to Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict, and have promised more, including main battle tanks. But that supply could diminish later in this second year of fighting. Public support for sending aid and weapons to Ukraine has declined in the United States. Other Western governments have been slow to provide any sizable shipments.

“The real center of gravity for the outcome of this war is not on the Ukrainian battlefield,” said George Barros, a military researcher at the Institute for the Study of War. “The real place is actually in the decision-making space in Western capitals. Because the moment we decide that we are not going to empower Ukraine, Ukraine will lose the war.

More details can be found in the link below.

Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/interactive/2023/russia-ukraine-front-line-map/?itid=sf_world_ukraine-russia_explanatory_p003_f001

NATO-UKRAINE PACT IN PREPARATION

UK, French, and German officials are reportedly preparing a NATO-Ukraine pact that falls far short of the protections Ukraine would receive from NATO membership and appears to reflect a desire to press Ukraine to accept a negotiated settlement on unfavorable terms. 

The Wall Street Journal reported that the exact provisions of the pact are undecided, but the officials indicated that the pact will provide advanced military equipment, arms, and ammunition to Ukraine, but not Article V protection or a commitment to station NATO forces in Ukraine—falling short of Ukraine’s aspirations for full NATO membership. The officials stated that the pact aims to provision Ukraine so that Ukrainian forces can conduct a counteroffensive that brings Russia to the negotiating table and deter any future Russian aggression. 

The Wall Street Journal noted that these officials expressed reservations about the West’s ability to sustain a prolonged war effort, the high casualty count that Ukraine would sustain in such a prolonged war, and Ukrainian forces’ ability to completely recapture long-occupied territories like Crimea, however. The Wall Street Journal contrasted these officials’ private reservations with US President Joe Biden’s public statements of support—which did not mention peace negotiations—and with Central and Eastern European leaders’ concerns that premature peace negotiations would encourage further Russian aggression. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has given no indication that he is willing to compromise on his stated maximalist goals, which include Ukraine’s “neutrality” and demilitarization—as well as de facto regime change in Kyiv.

Source: https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-25-2023 

CIVILIAN CASUALTIES

(As of  February 21, 2023)

Total civilian casualties 

From 24 February 2022, which marked the start of the large-scale armed attack by the Russian Federation, to 15 February 2023, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has recorded 21,293 civilian casualties  (8,006 killed and 13,287 injured)  in 1,141 settlements of Ukraine. Of those casualties among adults whose sex was known, men comprised 61.1 per cent and women comprised 39.9 per cent. Of those casualties among children whose sex was known, boys comprised 57.0 percent, and girls comprised 43.0 per cent.

Source:  OHCHR

Attacks on health facilities and services

Source: WHO

THE HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

Additional $2.5 Billion Mobilized by the World Bank to Support Continuity of Government Services and Recovery Efforts in Ukraine

 

The World Bank today announced $2.5 billion in additional grant financing for Ukraine. The grant provides direct support to Ukraine’s budget under the World Bank’s Public Expenditures for Administrative Capacity Endurance in Ukraine (PEACE) Project, to maintain essential services and core government functions amid the on-going war. The funds, provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), will be transmitted to the Government of Ukraine after appropriate verification of eligible expenditures are made by the World Bank.

 

This additional financing package to the PEACE project builds on previous grants and will support key sectors, including health care, schools, payment of pensions, payments for internally displaced people, social assistance programs, and wages for employees providing core government services.

 

“One year into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the world continues to witness the horrific destruction inflicted on the country and its people,” said World Bank Group President David Malpass. “I’m pleased that the World Bank has mobilized $20.6 billion to support Ukraine since the start of the war, of which $18.5 billion has been disbursed, reaching more than 12 million Ukrainians. We will continue supporting the people of Ukraine through urgent repair projects and coordination with the Government for recovery and reconstruction efforts.”

 

The additional financing adds to several previously announced packages for the PEACE project (see the full list of World Bank mobilized financing.) World Bank-facilitated financing for public expenditures in Ukraine is structured to help minimize the risk of corruption by retroactively funding basic eligible expenditures after verifying that funds have reached the intended beneficiaries and directly supporting the citizens of Ukraine.

To date, the World Bank has mobilized over $20.6 billion in emergency financing in support of the people of Ukraine, including commitments and pledges from donors: United States, UK, Netherlands, Spain, Norway, Germany, Canada, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Finland, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia, Iceland, Belgium, and Japan (parallel financing). This vital support continues to be pivotal in addressing the devastating human and economic impacts of the on-going war.

Source: https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/additional-25-billion-mobilized-world-bank-support-continuity-government-services-and-recovery-efforts-ukraine-en 

Canada to increase support for security and stabilization efforts in Ukraine

Canada has been steadfast in its commitment to support Ukraine’s security and resilience and to hold Russia accountable for its atrocities and crimes. As Ukraine and the international community mark this somber day, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced Canada’s contribution of more than $32 million in support to further strengthen Ukraine’s security and stabilization. This includes: 

In addition, Canada is pleased to announce it has joined the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group for Ukraine (ACA) alongside the United States, United Kingdom and European Union. The ACA will directly support the efforts of the War Crimes Units of the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine to document, preserve, and analyze evidence of war crimes and other atrocities committed in Ukraine, to ensure those responsible are held accountable.

Canada will always stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Source: https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/canada-increase-support-security-and-stabilization-efforts-ukraine

A year of war in Ukraine: a look back on the Netherlands’ aid efforts


The Netherlands supports Ukraine in a variety of ways, including humanitarian aid, reconstruction, aid to victims, and medicine and relief goods. Last year, the Netherlands also organized two international conferences for Ukraine: one on combating impunity and the other on the reconstruction of Ukraine.


Overview of Dutch aid for Ukraine in 2022


Humanitarian aid

Around € 60 million, including a contribution to the UN’s Ukraine Humanitarian Fund, €10 million for demining and € 2 million for combating sexual and gender-related violence.


Support via the EU

A guarantee of around € 200 million to the EU budget for the Macro-financial Assistance+ (MFA+) package for the Ukrainian government.


Support via international financial institutions


Winterisation aid


Business sector


Reconstruction aid for Ukraine


Refugees

€ 150 million from official development assistance budget for the reception of refugees in the Netherlands.


Culture

€ 500,000 for repairs to damaged cultural heritage.


Support for food price stability and the grain deal


Human rights and combating impunity


Military support

€ 1 billion: material support, trilateral support, commercial deliveries, contribution to the International Fund for Ukraine, support for the NATO Trust Funds.


Source: https://www.government.nl/topics/russia-and-ukraine/dutch-aid-for-ukraine 

International Organizations Increase Support for Local Organizations in Ukraine

During remarks at the launch of the 2023 HRP in Geneva, Switzerland, on February 15, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC) for Ukraine Denise Brown underscored the importance of increasing localization—a process of increasing support for and engagement with local aid actors—within the Ukraine humanitarian response. 


A range of local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and volunteer organizations are active across Ukraine, many of which have assisted local communities since the initial days of the GoRF invasion in 2022, before international organizations were able to scale up activities across the country during the following months. Local organizations are also active in areas near front lines, reaching remaining residents with high humanitarian needs and limited means to access assistance. The RC/HC stressed that ensuring the knowledge, experience, and outreach of these local organizations are coupled with the international humanitarian response is critical for large-scale delivery of assistance and effective advocacy for populations in need. 


In December, RC/HC Brown announced an allocation of $20 million from the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UHF)—a country-based pooled fund led by the RC/HC for Ukraine and managed by the UN—to support more than 300 civil society organizations, community-based organizations, and volunteer groups via NGO partners. Since the Russian invasion, the UHF has allocated more than $192 million to support life-saving operations in Ukraine. Additionally, the 2023 HRP recognizes the importance of local organizations to the humanitarian assistance in Ukraine, noting that more than 390 of the 650 operational humanitarian partners in the country—nearly 60 percent—are Ukrainian NGOs.



Source: https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/ukraine-complex-emergency-fact-sheet-9-fiscal-year-fy-2023 

One Year After the Escalation of the War in Ukraine - Making International Funding Work for Women's Organisations


Every crisis is a woman’s crisis, and the Ukraine crisis is no different.


While being disproportionately affected by the conflict, women in Ukraine have demonstrated outstanding and unwavering solidarity, leadership, and courage to support and deliver assistance to the most vulnerable. They have done so whilst maintaining their caring responsibilities for children, the chronically ill, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Well-established Ukrainian women’s rights organizations (WROs) and women-led organizations (WLOs) were among the first to provide emergency aid to those in need before international organizations arrived. They continue to drive efforts to meet the needs of the most vulnerable groups, especially women and girls, and those who do not want or are not able to leave.


“One year after the escalation of the Ukraine war: Making International Funding Work for Women's Organizations” is a new briefing note published by CARE and women’s organisations working in Ukraine, Poland, Hungary and Romania.


The briefing note provides an overview of the key and systemic funding challenges faced by WROs and WLOs in Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, and Romania and sets out key recommendations for UN agencies, donors and INGOs, including:



Source: https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/one-year-after-escalation-war-ukraine-making-international-funding-work-womens-organisations 

Creating safe spaces for women in Ukraine


Since the launch of the Russian Federation full-scale invasion on 24 February, 2022, over 2,000 women have been confirmed dead in attacks that have wrecked homes and civilian structures across Ukraine. Total numbers are likely to be much higher: according to the UN Commissioner for Human Rights, women account for nearly 40 per cent of the over 21,000 civilian casualties recorded in 2022. And of the estimated 7.9 million internally displaced peoples in Ukraine, women now constitute at least 90 per cent.

A Rapid Gender Analysis carried out by UN Women and partners revealed that women were being disproportionately affected by the crisis in other ways too. In the face of ongoing security threats, women and girls are experiencing increased gender-based violence—including intimate partner violence, sexual harassment, and conflict-related sexual violence. Deteriorating socio-economic conditions further exacerbate this threat, heightening rates of sexual exploitation, trafficking and other forms of violence. Twelve months in, support services remain insufficient to meet survivors’ needs.

This lack is compounded by displacement, which renders services and resources of all kinds even less accessible to women. And the psychological impacts of the crisis make it all the more difficult to get the necessary support.

On top of lost livelihoods, women in Ukraine are struggling with massive increases in unpaid care work. They are increasingly taking on leadership roles within their households and communities—and yet they remain largely underrepresented in decision-making spaces related to humanitarian and peace processes.  



Sources: https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/creating-safe-spaces-women-ukraine

  https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/rapid-gender-analysis-ukraine-4-may-2022 

Ukraine one year on: NGOs call for the protection of civilians, humanitarian access, localisation and durable solutions


Ahead of the one-year mark of the escalation of the international armed conflict, the undersigned members of the Ukraine Advocacy Working Group call on the international community to urgently prioritise: the protection of civilians; humanitarian access to hard to reach communities in need; localisation and durable solutions.

 

This intensification of hostilities over the last 12 months, including the use of explosive weapons and legally banned weapons, such as antipersonnel landmines and cluster munitions, has resulted in widespread civilian casualties. The near-daily missile attacks have repeatedly affected civilians and civilian infrastructure including water, electricity and gas supply systems, as well as communication infrastructure. These attacks are having multi-layered impacts on women, men and children. 

 

Women and girls of diverse, intersecting identities continue to face extremely high risks of gender-based violence (GBV), including domestic violence and sexual exploitation and lack essential services, including for sexual and reproductive health. Girls and boys continue to witness atrocities, and many suffer from long-term physical and psychological injuries., There are widespread reports of grave human rights violations, including  torture and conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) in areas of active fighting close to the front line.

 

Local and national organizations, including women’s organizations and those working with marginalized groups, were the first responders when the war escalated. They remain the primary providers of humanitarian aid in Ukraine today, particularly in the Russian controlled areas and other high-risk areas. Yet, they remain severely under-resourced. Resources are still centralized by a handful of international actors, and the humanitarian system is struggling to effectively localize the response. Inconsistent provision for multilingual communication also undermines the meaningful participation of local and national organizations.

 

Source: https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/ukraine-one-year-ngos-call-protection-civilians-humanitarian-access-localisation-and-durable-solutions 

People across the world gather to mark war anniversary

World landmarks were lit up in the colors of Ukraine’s national flag as people across the globe threw their support behind the country Friday on the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The Empire State Building, the Eiffel Tower and Sydney Opera House gleamed in yellow and blue in solemn remembrance of the outbreak of the war on Feb. 24, 2022.

The conflict has affected economies worldwide, bringing shortages of energy, grain and fertilizer, and the date drew people to peace rallies and other events in the Middle East, Asia and Latin America, as well as Europe

King Charles III published a message lauding the “remarkable courage and resilience” of the Ukrainian people.

A teenage Ukrainian pianist forced to flee her country with her mother when the war broke out gave a solo performance at a shopping mall in the city of Liverpool in northwest England.

Alisa Bushuieva, age 13, wore a traditional Ukrainian floral headband and dress as she played her country’s national anthem.

At a convention center in Utrecht, Netherlands, about 2,000 Ukrainian refugees gathered to hear by video link a speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and in Brussels hundreds gathered to wave the Ukrainian flag and chant “Slava Ukraini!” (Glory to Ukraine).

In northern Europe, people placed candles on the steps of Helsinki Cathedral at a memorial event for Ukraine war victims, and in southern Europe peace quotations printed on jute bags were displayed in Rome as part of an installation by Italian artist Gianfranco Meggiato entitled “The Meeting: The Symbol of Peace.”

Moscow planned no special events for Friday, as most Russians took a nationwide day off amid an extended public holiday. As part of authorities’ relentless effort to prevent any sign of dissent, police in some areas visited activists’ homes to warn them against trying to stage any demonstrations.

Ukrainians living in Brazil protested outside the Russian Consulate in Sao Paulo, with one sign comparing Putin to Adolf Hitler.

Ukrainians in Lebanon chanted slogans during a Beirut rally and held up signs saying, “Stand strong with Ukraine” and “No terrorism.” Ukrainians and their supporters also marked the anniversary in Tel Aviv.


Source: https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-government-united-kingdom-world-news-moscow-b54bd238d30f856c81ebb871da4570f1 

7 reasons why the world must keep supporting Ukraine

 

It’s now one year since the Russian Federation’s 24 February invasion of Ukraine. That’s one year of unimaginable suffering, loss and destruction. And one year in which the life of every single woman, man and child in Ukraine has been torn apart.

 

But despite all this, the people of Ukraine have continually showed the world their incredible sense of solidarity and resilience. They came together to support one another, created thousands of groups of volunteers, and went to the front lines to make sure people trapped could get the support they needed. Humanitarian organizations complemented this effort alongside the incredible support and solidarity from the international community and citizens of every country who stepped in to support Ukraine. Together, 16 million people in Ukraine last year were helped.

 

1.  18 million people need humanitarian assistance.

Just a few weeks after the full-scale war began, the number of people who needed humanitarian assistance jumped from just below 3 million to almost 18 million.

Today, those people still face life-threatening needs.

 

2.   Millions had to flee for their lives and try to settle far from home

The war caused a grave displacement crisis not seen in recent history. In the first few months after the invasion, nearly 8 million people were internally displaced in Ukraine. The same number of people fled across borders, leaving behind their families, homes, belongings and jobs.  Today, more than 5.5 million people are still internally displaced in Ukraine, and almost 8 million people are refugees.

 

3.  Access to health care, water and electricity is now decimated.

Last year, almost 70 per cent of attacks on health-care facilities around the world took place in Ukraine, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The country’s hospitals were bombed when people needed them the most, and access to essential health-care services is now decimated, particularly in the east. Ukraine needs support to keep its hospitals functioning, and to ensure people have drinking water and other essential services.

The war has devastated Ukraine’s water system. Millions of people now struggle every day to have safe drinking water, and others are forced to rely on unsafe water sources.

An energy crisis followed the repeated attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure.


4.   Access to education is at risk.

Throughout the year, Ukraine’s schools and classrooms have been attacked, destroyed or converted into military bases, severely hampering access to education. Almost 40 per cent of schools in Ukraine must rely on online learning, but even that is now disrupted due to compromised access to electricity and the Internet.

 

In Ukraine, 5.3 million children need support to ensure they can continue their education.

 

5.  People are dealing with unimaginable trauma.

The war is leaving deep, invisible scars on the people of Ukraine. Nearly 10 million people are at risk of acute stress, anxiety, depression, substance use and post-traumatic stress disorder, according to WHO.  Families have been separated, and every single person in Ukraine has seen a family member or a person they know killed or injured.  War-related sexual violence is also adding to the horrors caused by the war. It affected mainly women and girls, but also male prisoners of war held by Russian armed forces.


6.  Agriculture and the economy have been impacted, with profound global implications.

The war has severely affected Ukraine’s agriculture industry, leaving thousands of farmers without income and one in three families food insecure. Throughout the year, fertile land or crops were destroyed during fighting or hostilities, and harvest and planting seasons were affected. This added to the challenges imposed by the closure of Ukraine’s ports for more than six months.

 

In Ukraine and across the world, the lack of availability of and access to seeds, fertilizers, fuel and plant protection products hampered production. Food prices in the global market skyrocketed.

 

It is vital to increase demining activities so that agriculture can resume, rural families can receive support to keep producing food, and ports can open to exports to avoid further disruption of Ukraine’s grain shipments. This will contribute to small farmers’ food security and prevent another global hunger crisis.

 

7.  Millions of people are still not receiving the support they need.

Since the full-scale war began on 24 February, humanitarians have worked day and night to make sure nearly 16 million people in Ukraine receive the support they need.

 

The international humanitarian community carried out the world’s largest humanitarian cash response in history, supporting more than 6 million people in Ukraine. One yearn, they continue to  increase our support in mental health, child protection and mine clearance for traumatized people trying to rebuild their lives.

 

Despite all this, the support to communities in Russian-controlled areas is extremely limited. The world has seen how humanitarian diplomacy can change things for the better. The Black Sea Grain Initiative was an example, and the evacuations of civilians from the Azovstal steel plant. We need this same kind of action and diplomacy to help ensure humanitarians in Ukraine can support people, regardless of who they are or where they live.

 

Source: https://unocha.exposure.co/7-reasons-why-the-world-must-keep-supporting-ukraine?source=share-unocha 

Western public support for Ukraine is falling

New polls show that war fatigue may be setting in

 

On the eve of the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion, Western leaders have been working to demonstrate their unwavering commitment to the Ukrainian cause. As part of a surprise visit to Kyiv today, US President Joe Biden announced new military assistance and further sanctions on Moscow, while in Munich, European allies promised more military and financial support to Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Yet for all the solidarity on show among the leadership, cracks may be starting to emerge back home. In America, a new AP poll has found that less than half of Americans (48%) are in favour of providing weapons to Ukraine, down from 60% in May 2022. Separately, a Pew poll from this year revealed that the share of Americans who say the US is providing too much support to Ukraine has grown from 7% in March 2022 to 26% in January 2023. What’s more, the share of Americans who said that the US is not providing enough support has dropped from 42% to 20% in the same period.

 

Biden may only have to concern himself with public opinion in his own country, but EU leaders must also contend with maintaining unity between their countries too. New polls reveal a wide spread in opinions about the conflict, even if most countries are generally supportive of Ukraine. According to the EU’s Autumn 2022 barometer, approval of the EU’s support for Ukraine is resilient at 74%, with the highest figures in Sweden (97%) and Finland (95%) and the lowest further south in Bulgaria (48%) and Greece (48%).

 

But these questions, commissioned by the EU, are (perhaps deliberately) vague. Respondents are asked whether they approve or disapprove of the EU’s ‘support’ for Ukraine without detailing what support that entails (beyond humanitarian, financial and military) and whether they are ‘satisfied’ with the cooperation between member states.

 

Other polls are more enlightening. For instance, one recent Ipsos survey shows a downward trend in support for sending weapons and/or air-defence systems to Ukraine in Europe, with German support falling below half for the first time (down by seven percentage points to 48% between March-April 2022 and November-December 2022) and the Netherlands (down by six percentage points to 59%). 

 

More surprising, though, is that even among Ukraine’s loudest supporters there appears to be some degree of war-weariness: in the same Ipsos survey, there was a 10-percentage point decline among Poles supporting the most stringent economic sanctions against Russia and an 11-percentage point decline in accepting Ukrainian refugees. 

 

Out of all the EU countries, Germany is a particularly interesting case. Despite a wholesale reconfiguration of German foreign policy, Olaf Scholz has faced heavy criticism for perceived slowness in providing military support to Kyiv. Now, he has turned into one of Ukraine’s loudest defenders, urging other countries to speed up arms deliveries to Ukraine and warning that it would be “wise to prepare for a long war”. But how have Germans received this message back home?

 

Previous polling may offer some clues. According to one January Forsa poll, an astonishing 80% of Germans said that it was more important to end the conflict quickly with negotiations than for Ukraine to win. Similarly, a survey of nine EU countries by Euroskopia found that over 60% of Austrians and Germans want the war to end quickly whereas the Dutch, Portuguese and Polish are strongly opposed to this idea. 

 

War fatigue thus appears to be setting in faster in Germany than in any other country, with public opinion hardening in recent months. Almost half of Germans (43%) now agree that ‘the problems of Ukraine are none of our business, and we should not interfere’, marking an 11-percentage point increase from March-April 2022 to November-December 2022. This may go some way towards explaining the rise of Sahra Wagenknecht, one of the co-leaders of Die Linke, who is, with some success, spearheading an anti-war movement in Germany.

 

Western leaders displayed remarkable levels of unity during the first year of the war. One year in, however, and their voters are beginning to be more hesitant in their commitment.


Source: https://unherd.com/thepost/western-public-support-for-ukraine-is-falling

HOLY FATHER ON UKRAINE

General Audience - February 22, 2023

Dear brothers and sisters, The day after tomorrow, on 24 February, it will be one year since the invasion of Ukraine, since the beginning of this absurd and cruel war. A sad anniversary! The toll of dead, wounded, refugees and displaced persons, destruction, economic and social damage speaks for itself. May the Lord forgive so many crimes and so much violence. He is the God of peace. Let us remain close to the tormented Ukrainian people, who continue to suffer, and let us ask ourselves: has everything possible been done to stop the war? I appeal to those who have authority over nations to make a concrete commitment to end the conflict, to achieve a cease-fire and to start peace negotiations. What is built on rubble will never be a true victory!

Benedico l’iniziativa „Missionari per la Quaresima", attraverso la quale sostenete i missionari polacchi con la preghiera e il digiuno. Questa opera è rivolta anche a coloro che sono rimasti in Ucraina, devastata dalla guerra, portando sostegno e speranza agli abitanti di quel Paese martoriato. Preghiamo insieme per la pace! Vi benedico di cuore!

Cari fratelli e sorelle, dopodomani, 24 febbraio, si compirà un anno dall’invasione dell’Ucraina, dall’inizio di questa guerra assurda e crudele. Un triste anniversario! Il bilancio di morti, feriti, profughi e sfollati, distruzioni, danni economici e sociali parla da sé. Potrà il Signore perdonare tanti crimini e tanta violenza? Egli è il Dio della pace. Restiamo vicini al martoriato popolo ucraino, che continua a soffrire. E chiediamoci: è stato fatto tutto il possibile per fermare la guerra? Faccio appello a quanti hanno autorità sulle nazioni, perché si impegnino concretamente per la fine del conflitto, per raggiungere il cessate-il-fuoco e avviare negoziati di pace. Quella costruita sulle macerie non sarà mai una vera vittoria!

Links to the full text in  ITALIAN and ENGLISH

Angelus - February 26, 2023

This morning I learned with sorrow of the shipwreck off the Calabrian coast, near Crotone. Forty dead have already been recovered, including many children. I pray for each one of them, for the missing and for the other surviving migrants. I thank those who have brought relief and those who are providing shelter. May Our Lady sustain these brothers and sisters of ours. And let us not forget the tragedy of the war in Ukraine; the war has already continued for a year. And let us not forget the suffering of the Syrian and Turkish people due to the earthquake.

Stamattina ho saputo con dolore del naufragio avvenuto sulla costa calabrese, presso Crotone. Già sono stati recuperati quaranta morti, tra cui molti bambini. Prego per ognuno di loro, per i dispersi e per gli altri migranti sopravvissuti. Ringrazio quanti hanno portato soccorso e coloro che stanno dando accoglienza. La Madonna sostenga questi nostri fratelli e sorelle. E non dimentichiamo la tragedia della guerra in Ucraina, già un anno è stato fatto di guerra. E non dimentichiamo il dolore del popolo siriano e di quello turco per il terremoto.

Links to the full text in  ITALIAN and ENGLISH

NEWS

ICMC’s New Partnerships Provide Spiritual and Psychological Support for People Affected by the War in Ukraine 

Archbishop Gallagher stresses need to end war in Ukraine

At Ukraine documentary viewing Pope prays for peace

Parole a braccio del Santo Padre al termine della proiezione del Documentario “Freedom on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom” – 24 febbraio 2023, 25.02.2023

One year of war in Ukraine: Pope Francis' sorrow and tireless appeals for peace

Francis' refugee manager in Geneva: "People's suffering is never business as usual" (German original)

"The enemy can put out the light in our homes, but he will never be able to put out the spark of love in our hearts," - UGCC bishops in an address to energy workers (Google translate)

"In times of war, more than ever, we understand that there are no other people's children," - UGCC bishops to children of war and orphans (Google translate)

"The whole world is waiting for the moment when you will return free to Ukraine," - bishops of the UGCC in an address to prisoners of war (Google translate)

"The whole country is being healed by your wounds today," - bishops of the UGCC to the wounded (Google translate)

Prayer vigil at the All-Ukrainian Sanctuary on February 24 (Google translate)

One year of war in Ukraine | EU Bishops: “stop this madness of war”!

Archbishop Caccia Addresses Emergency Special Session on Ukraine

The head of the UGCC received a delegation of Belgian bishops in Kyiv: "Thank you for your courage" (Google translate)

The UGCC seeks the release of priests who are tortured in Russian prisons - His Beatitude Svyatoslav (Google translate)

An ecumenical prayer for peace in Ukraine was held in St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York (Google translate)

IMAGES FROM CR4U MEMBERS

Ukrainian refugees visiting Bishop Markus Büchel in St. Gallen.