In anticipation of a potential Ukrainian defeat in the war against Russia, the German government is gearing up for a substantial wave of refugees. According to the newspaper Welt am Sonntag, German officials estimate that approximately 10 million Ukrainians may flee the country if it faces defeat. This figure surpasses the 8 million Ukrainians who have already left the country since the full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022.
Most of these new refugees are likely to seek refuge in Western Europe, with Germany expected to be a key destination. Michael Roth, the head of the Bundestag Committee on Foreign Affairs, emphasized the need for the European Union (EU) to take more decisive actions to minimize the risks associated with such a scenario.
“If Ukraine loses, it will be a humanitarian catastrophe of unimaginable proportions,” Roth declared to Welt am Sonntag. “We must do everything possible to prevent this from happening.”
Despite these concerns, the German government also believes that Ukraine has the capacity to withstand the war and maintain defense and stability until the end of 2024. This optimism is based on the successes of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in holding back the Russian advance, coupled with unprecedented military and economic assistance provided to Ukraine by Western nations.