Belgium will not immediately issue visas to Russian deserters, “but our country hopes that a European position will soon be adopted”, said Prime Minister Alexander De Croo on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday.
“Today, Belgium hardly ever issues visas to Russians, only for humanitarian reasons. This is our position so far. We are not necessarily going to give visas to people who desert. Let’s see how we can reach a European consensus. I hope that we can quickly adopt a general position”did he declare.
Earlier in the day, the cabinet of the Secretary of State for Asylum, Nicole de Moor, had indicated that the normal rules of the right of asylum will apply to Russians who flee the mobilization in their country and seek refuge in Belgium. They have the right to request protection status and it is the General Commissioner for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRA) that will decide on their request.
On Thursday, the German government announced that it was ready to receive deserters from the Russian army. “Anyone who courageously opposes Putin and thus puts himself in danger can apply for political asylum in Germany”, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Wednesday a partial mobilization to strengthen the military weight of the Russian army in Ukraine. Thousands of people then tried to flee Russia. Demonstrations also broke out in several places, leading to at least 1,300 arrests.