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Senator notes Russia absorbed millions of Ukrainian refugees

A Russian politician fears the situation could deteriorate again because of the transport blockade of the Donbass region

© Valery Matytsin/TASS

MOSCOW, March 7. /TASS/. Russia has received more than 2,500,000 refugees since the outbreak of the conflict in eastern Ukriane, Yuri Vorobyov, Deputy Speaker of Russia’s Federation Council (upper house of parliament) and Chairman of the Committee for Public Support to Residents of Southeastern Ukraine, said on Tuesday.

Read also

Ukrainian city residents hold rally protesting against Donbass blockade

"Europe has received 900,000 [refugees] and shuddered, while we have received over 2,500,000 refugees on our territory and continue to provide assistance," he said opening the round table discussion "Russia-Donbass: New Cooperation Mechanisms."

In his view, the situation could deteriorate again because of the transport blockade of the Donbass region imposed by Ukrainian extremists.

"We are very much concerned about this, as there is a risk that it will be impossible for local enterprises to continue operation and the risk of job cuts," he noted. "So, there is a need to find new cooperation mechanisms (between Russia and Donbass), including through our committee."

Read also

Russian government increases funding for Ukraine refugees

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Ukraine crisis Eastern Ukraine

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