Curtailing aid to Ukraine will only prolong the war, Mr Zelensky argues. And it would create risks for the West in its own backyard. There is no way of predicting how the millions of Ukrainian refugees in European countries would react to their country being abandoned. Ukrainians have generally “behaved well” and are “very grateful” to those who sheltered them. They will not forget that generosity. But it would not be a “good story” for Europe if it were to “drive these people into a corner”.
Oof. “Subtly” threatening allies that the refugees they accepted (usually with very generous arrangements to make it easier to get in) might become a threat unless Ukraine receives continuing support doesn’t sound like a smart move.
But it’s not exactly a threat is it? It’s a very reasonable observation about how Ukrainian refugees might feel and behave.
Wouldn’t you feel the same way? Your country gets invaded, you flee to a generous supporting friendly country. That country stops being supporting, and your chances to return home start to vanish. You didn’t choose to be here. Now you’re stuck in a foreign country that you feel could be doing more to fight injustice and give you a chance to return home.
He’s the president of a democracy, not a mind controller. People will feel a certain way. He’s simply observing this potential situation, as a warning to the allies not to slide into complacency.
Huh?
Not OP, but they didn’t flee to the country just for funsies but because there’s war raging in their home country. They didn’t choose to emigrate to a certain country because they always wanted to live there but because they feared for their lives.
It’s not even subtle. “We’re very grateful for the aid, but if you stop helping us, who knows what might happen to you?” is a damn threat. I’m actually pretty disappointed in him for that one.
He’s stating the obvious. It’s no more threatening than saying you’ll burn your hand if you touch the hot stove.
Is it still tone deaf? Absolutely.