Migration with other faiths – Ukraine’s demographic bet
With demographics sliding, a former foreign minister says Ukraine will have to let in migrants, but the Rada’s finance chief pushed back.
Former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated that due to mass emigration and a demographic crisis, Ukraine will have to bring in migrants on a large scale.
“Nothing good awaits us demographically. We’re on a downward trajectory; even before the war it was the worst in Europe. Therefore, we may have to open up to migrants. Bangladesh, Nepal, India, the Philippines, Vietnam would gladly come. The times ahead will be harsh, yet I am calm – I see enough people who still need Ukraine,” Kuleba said.
His words were criticized by Servant of the People MP and head of the Rada’s Finance Committee Dmytro Hetmantsev. According to him, Kuleba’s proposal surprised him.
“People with a different culture, language, religion and – let’s be frank – far from always with a desire to work, will never solve Ukraine’s demographic problems. Or they’ll end up 'solving' them in the very way we pray never happens,” the MP said.
He believes that “resettling a large number of outsiders will have irreversible consequences for the future – both of the people and of the country as such.” As an alternative, he proposes to “focus on lasting peace, reconstruction and, as a result, bringing our own people home.”
Earlier, the UOJ reported that during the war Ukraine’s population decreased by 10 million.
