How do Ukrainians really feel in Lithuania? The latest population survey shows it all

A sociological survey commissioned by the Department of National Minorities surveyed Lithuanian residents and war refugees aged 18 and older from Ukraine. The survey revealed that more than 40% of Lithuanians strongly agree that Lithuania should take in as many refugees from Ukraine as possible and should help them as much as possible, Austėja Eglynaitė is writing at the tv3.lt news portal.

“More than 40% of Lithuanians fully agree that Lithuania should take in as many refugees from Ukraine as possible and must help them as much as possible,” said Vida Montvydaitė, Head of the Department of National Minorities. 

She added that Ukrainian refugees in Lithuania feel good because they are not discriminated against, and the state support, benefits and social assistance they receive are satisfactory.

“The majority of Ukrainian refugees interviewed in Lithuania (87.6%) stressed that they have not been discriminated against or insulted in Lithuania because of their nationality or language, and the majority of Ukrainians feel that Lithuanians have a favourable attitude towards them,” said V. Montvydaitė. 

“It was devastating to see that the figures show that people no longer have anyone to talk to in Ukraine”

Ms Montvydaitė, head of the Department of National Minorities, said that a large number of Ukrainians are interested in the situation and events in Ukraine.

However, the survey shows that interest in this news is slowly waning. Ukrainians also have no one to communicate with anymore, as all relatives and friends have left Ukraine. 

“Almost all Ukrainians are interested in the processes in Ukraine. We can see that the figures show that this interest is decreasing.

It was horrible to see that the figures show that people no longer have anyone to communicate with in Ukraine. All their relatives have left the country. The country will face huge demographic challenges in the future, millions of refugees”, she says.

Estonia is the third country with the highest number of Ukrainian refugees

Anne-Ly Reimaa, from the Department of Intercultural Diversity of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Estonia, says that Estonia is currently the country with the highest number of Ukrainian refugees among its neighbours.  

“In Estonia, there are about 35,000 Ukrainian refugees in temporary protection, temporary shelter, and if we compare this with other EU Member States, Estonia is in third place (after Poland and the Czech Republic) in terms of the ratio of Ukrainian refugees to the total population. 

It has been quite a challenge, but we are working very hard to offer the best possible opportunities for employment, education, psychological and medical assistance. We are working a lot with the municipalities to offer this service,” she said.