Czech police chief warns of potential influx of Ukrainian refugees

Vondrášek emphasized the distinction between illegal migrants and refugees from Ukraine operating within legal frameworks. Statistics revealed during the session indicated that Ukrainian citizens constituted the majority of foreigners in the Czech Republic, comprising more than 570,000 individuals. Vondrášek attributed this to both pre-war Ukrainian residents and refugees who sought asylum amid ongoing conflict.

Expressing concerns about a potential new wave of refugees from Ukraine, Vondrášek cited uncertainties surrounding the war’s trajectory and changes in Ukraine’s military service regulations. Reports from Slovakia indicating an increase in unauthorized entries by Ukrainians further fueled apprehensions.

Despite acknowledging the possibility of an influx, Vondrášek refrained from estimating its scale, underscoring the unpredictability of geopolitical developments. Meanwhile, Czech politicians, including Deputy Speaker Vera Kovářová and Security Committee Chairman Pavel Žáček, discussed migration-related challenges and the need for European cooperation to address them effectively.

Žáček emphasized the urgency of halting migration waves at the EU’s external borders, echoing sentiments from his recent visit to the Greek-Turkish border. As concerns mount over the potential for heightened migration pressures amid ongoing global conflicts, European leaders grapple with the complexities of border security and refugee management.