Putin allegedly uses migrant flows to undermine European unity and aid for Ukraine

Ukraine’s chief diplomat Andrii Sybiha accused President Vladimir Putin of deliberately channeling migration toward Europe as a weapon to destabilize governments and diminish assistance for Kyiv before key elections. He linked the tactic to Russia’s ongoing Black Sea blockade, which is choking Ukrainian grain exports that feed nations in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Sybiha said the migrant surge is intended to inflame division, empower radical anti-European movements and weaken the continent’s resolve to support Ukraine.

The warning comes as far-right parties such as Germany’s Alternative for Germany, France’s Marine Le Pen, Spain’s Vox and Italy’s National Future gain ground, potentially reshaping the political landscape. He also noted that Belarus under Alexander Lukashenko is being used to smuggle migrants across the EU’s northeastern borders. The broader context includes Russian and Israeli disinformation networks allegedly stoking tensions during the recent Ceuta migrant episode.