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Refugee crisis in Europe

Russian diplomat denounces Western claims Moscow to blame for migration crisis in Finland

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted that "according to data from the UNHCR and the Finnish Immigration Service, a little more than 800 people crossed from Russia in November"

MOSCOW, January 12. /TASS/. Allegations about Russia being to blame for Finland's migrant crisis are a show of double standards from the West, as there is "no uncontrolled flow" of migrants whatsoever, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a press briefing.

According to Zakharova, claims that Russia plays a part in the migration crisis in the EU are based on numerous bogus reports, just like all the other anti-Russian propaganda. She cited statistics from Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, saying that over 330,000 illegal migrants had crossed into the bloc between January and October 2023. Meanwhile, "according to data from the UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency - TASS) and the Finnish Immigration Service, a little more than 800 people crossed from Russia in November," she said.

"As you can see, there is no uncontrolled flow of migrants from Russia whatsoever. This is yet another example of Western double standards or the lack of any standards at all," the Russian diplomat added.

"Unless the West stops meddling with the internal affairs of the global majority of countries, migration crises will not end, and Russia does not have anything to do with that," Zakharova concluded.

Tags

Foreign policy Finland Refugee crisis Maria Zakharova

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