This is what Ukrainians say about the federal government’s repatriation plans: “I don’t want to go back to Ukraine”

class=”sc-29f61514-0 icZBHN”>

Julia Tkachenko (37) is worried. “I don’t want to go back to Ukraine,” says the Ukrainian. She wants to integrate in Uster ZH, learn German and work hard.

The mother of a five-year-old son fears for her future. She is still allowed to stay in Switzerland thanks to the protection status S that all Ukrainian refugees have received. This will initially apply until March 2024 and Switzerland will likely extend it for a year soon.

But Tkachenko is concerned that Switzerland is already planning what will happen to the Ukrainians after their S status is revoked. Last Friday, the return concept was discussed by the Federal Council, although bombs are still falling on cities such as Kharkiv. “There are a lot of guns in the country, I don’t want to be in danger.”

“The concept sends the wrong signal”

Andrej Lushnycky (53), chairman of the Ukrainian Association of Switzerland and honorary consul of Ukraine, understands the federal government. «Having a concept is important. Otherwise, the authorities will have to improvise if it comes to that.”

But this concept sends the wrong signal, he says. “While Switzerland continues with repatriation, support for Ukraine is slowly developing.” For every franc Switzerland has donated to Ukraine so far, the Russian state has received 17 francs in taxpayer money from Swiss companies. This is evident from an analysis by the international network B4Ukraine from 2022.

“The federal government seems paralyzed”

Switzerland could play a leading role in humanitarian aid, Lushnycky believes. “But the federal government seems paralyzed.” The administration looks at how other states act rather than pursuing a clear line of support for Ukraine.

GLP State Councilor Martin Bäumle (59), long married to a Ukrainian, thinks the same. For him, the return concept has too many open questions and ambiguities, and that is why the federal government must go through the books again.

For example, Bäumle criticizes the fictional base scenario on which all explanations in the concept are based. This says: “The intensity of the fighting has decreased. The fronts have been reinforced. Russia has halted attacks on Ukrainian cities. Only on the immediate front line are sporadic battles still taking place.”

Too many risks

This means: the federal government would initiate a return without the war being over. That is unthinkable, says Bäumle. “A return is only possible after a complete ceasefire.” Otherwise there would be too many risks.

Swiss refugee aid also believes that the federal government should only revoke S status after the end of the war. And: “Any possible withdrawal should be carefully examined.” However, it is common for the federal government to develop concepts in a planning phase. Especially since the S status was first applied.

Ukrainians like Yulia Tkachenko don’t have to worry about being sent back anytime soon. But one day it will happen.

Source:Blick