Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Maria Zabolotskaya at a UNSC Briefing by UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations M.V. Zabolotskaya at a UNSC Briefing by UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Mr. President,
We are pleased to welcome UN High Commissioner for Refugees Mr. Saleh to the Council today.
Russia reaffirms its unwavering support for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), headed by Mr. Saleh, whose work is becoming increasingly important given the deteriorating humanitarian situation worldwide and the growing number of challenges facing the international community.
Mr. President,
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, which is a core document aimed at safeguarding the rights and interests of this category of people. Nevertheless, some of its provisions remain on the periphery of the attention of part of the international community to this day.
A vivid example in this regard is the recent influx of migrants into Ceuta, which exposed the inconsistency between the approaches of European States and the principle enshrined in the Convention’s preamble, according to which States should do everything within their power to prevent the refugee problem from becoming a cause of tension between States, given its social and humanitarian nature.
Instead of demonstrating solidarity, the leaders of 22 European countries signed a joint letter accusing Spain of undermining the security of the EU external borders, and certain countries went so far as to suspend the application of the Schengen Agreement with respect to Spain. Populist calls for swift and wholesale deportations poured in from all quarters. Yet it is common knowledge that, in addition to economic migrants, among those who arrived in Ceuta were refugees from areas affected by severe armed conflicts, including Africa and the Middle East.
The principle of non-refoulement, however, has never enjoyed much respect in Europe, which is one of the reasons why the Mediterranean route has become notorious as one of the deadliest migration routes in the world. According to the International Organization for Migration, despite a 39 per cent decrease in the number of migrants arriving in Europe this year, the death toll from attempts to cross the Mediterranean continues to rise. This trend can be observed in Greece, Italy and Spain alike. Since the beginning of 2026, at least 2,292 people have died or gone missing, compared with 1,999 over the same period last year. And this figure does not factor in the many shipwrecks and disappearances that go unrecorded, meaning that the actual death toll is most likely higher.
It is noteworthy that European countries, which are so vociferous about their commitment to human rights and call for combating impunity, apparently consider such principles inapplicable in this particular case. At least, we are not aware of any judicial proceedings regarding this situation, while civil society is calling for an investigation and directly pointing the finger at the Frontex agency.
Mr. President,
Russia receives and accommodates a significant number of refugees and forced migrants from various countries. We provide substantial amounts of humanitarian assistance through both bilateral and multilateral channels and assist countries of origin in creating conditions conducive to the return of their populations.
Russia is also a host country for refugees from Ukraine. Hundreds of thousands of Russians and Russian-speaking citizens of this neighbouring State sought refuge in our country following the bloody unconstitutional coup d’état with foreign interference in 2014, which brought to power nationalists who unleashed a civil war against the people of Donbass and launched a campaign of persecution in Ukraine. This mass exodus continued in subsequent years amid the unabated shelling by the Ukrainian Armed Forces of peaceful towns in the DPR and LPR, as well as in the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, which are now part of Russia.
Russia receives and accommodates these people and provides them with comprehensive assistance, including support with employment and access to social benefits. We treat these people like our family members; they can always count on finding in Russia not only refuge, but also a home and a place within our multi-ethnic nation.
For European countries, meanwhile, Ukrainian refugees are a convenient object of manipulation. At first, these countries ostentatiously gave them preferential treatment compared with people arriving from other regions, which was something they boasted about. But now Europeans seem to have become burdened by their own hospitality.
Opinion polls show that fewer and fewer EU citizens support the idea of turning their countries into a safe haven for Ukrainians. For example, the Juliusz Mieroszewski Centre for Dialogue in Poland concluded that the proportion of Poles holding negative attitudes towards Ukrainians had risen from 17 to 43 per cent since 2023. According to a survey conducted by the CBOS research centre, 52 per cent of respondents said that Poland should not accept refugees from Ukraine. Furthermore, 54 per cent of those surveyed believe that the assistance provided to Ukrainian refugees is overly excessive.
Given the above, the European Union’s recent decisions to return Ukrainian men to their home country speak volumes. The fate of these people is sealed.
The Internet is replete with videos showing Ukrainian men who do not want to fight Russia being beaten and dragged by their legs across the pavement into buses – which people call “busiki”. And later these men are sent to the frontline. Yet Europeans, who routinely reassert their commitment to the principle of non-refoulement, are quite prepared to cooperate with the Zelensky regime on this issue. After all, these men are merely an instrument of the West in its war against Russia. Their rights and their future, just like the future of Ukraine itself, are of no concern to European colonialists.
Mr. President,
In the context of today’s briefing, we cannot but mention the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip. In this regard, it is particularly important to preserve and fully support the work of UNRWA. The Agency provides tangible assistance to Palestine refugees and remains the backbone of humanitarian, educational, medical and social support.
We also attach great significance to continued efforts to facilitate the voluntary return of Syrian refugees. According to UNHCR, more than 1.8 million Syrians have returned to their country since December 2024. We believe that helping to create favourable conditions for refugees and internally displaced persons to return to their places of permanent residence would be a crucial step towards the long-term stabilization and reunification of Syria, while ensuring the rights of all its citizens irrespective of their ethnic or religious affiliation. In this context, we support UNHCR’s efforts to facilitate the voluntary return of Syrian refugees to their homeland.
We would like to particularly emphasize that the return of people must not be made contingent upon artificial requirements nor politicized. Whenever there is interference of one kind or another, it is ordinary people – the citizens of these countries – who bear the brunt. We must bear this in mind.
Mr. President,
Russia remains committed to its obligations towards refugees; not only do we take measures to assist persons seeking protection, but we also faithfully make our annual contribution to the Office’s budget, despite the obstacles we are facing in this regard due to illegal unilateral coercive measures (UCMs).
We are convinced that the most effective way to address the problem of forced migration is to eliminate the root causes that compel people to leave their homelands.
In conclusion, we would like once again to thank Mr. Saleh for ensuring that, under his leadership, the UNHCR continues to carry out its work in a humanitarian and non-politicized manner, in full conformity with its Statute. Any efforts to address migration challenges must be guided by the fundamental humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, while all measures taken must be implemented with the consent of the countries in which they are carried out.
Thank you.
