Union of Ukrainians in Portugal calls to end support for pro-Kremlin refugees

The Union of Ukrainians in Portugal is calling on Lisbon to suspend state support for Ukrainian refugees who promote pro-Russian narratives and support Russia’s aggression, reports ZAP.

In a letter sent to Presidency Minister António Leitão Amaro, the union said that some Ukrainian refugees are being used, actively or passively, by Russian intelligence services for the purpose to disseminate disinformation.

The organization singled out the nonprofit Batkivshina (Homeland) organization that is led by former Ukrainian journalist Oleksandr Nesterenko, who arrived in Portugal in April 2022, just two months after the full-blown invasion.

According to the union, Nesterenko spreads views that are aligned with Russian propaganda and participates in anti-Ukraine events, including those organized by the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP).

“At first, I thought it was fake news, but then I confirmed that this organization is indeed registered in Portugal,” said Pavlo Sadokha, Vice President of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) for Southern Europe and President of the Union of Ukrainians in Portugal (UUP).

Sadokha added that Nesterenko also receives state support as a refugee.

“This is not an isolated case,” the UWC Vice President said. “There are other Ukrainian refugees under international protection who actively promote pro-Russian positions on social media.”

Sadokha acknowledged that it is difficult for the state to verify the political sympathies of every temporary protection applicant, but he stressed: “When we become aware of such cases, we notify the Portuguese authorities so they can respond. Individuals like this should not receive state support.”