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President of the European Council: EU countries should grant asylum to Russian deserters

President of the European Council: EU countries should grant asylum to Russian

European Union countries need to think about ways to offer asylum to Russian soldiers who are ready to leave the war in Ukraine, said European Council President Charles Michel.

During a speech to MEPs on Wednesday, Michel expressed his anger over "crimes against humanity" in Bucha and other cities before urging Russian soldiers not to obey orders.

Michel referred to the city outside Kiev, where graphic evidence of the killings and torture has emerged after the withdrawal of Russian forces. He said he wanted to give a message to Russian soldiers waging the war launched by Moscow against its neighbor on February 24.

"If you do not want to take part in the killing of your Ukrainian brothers and sisters, if you do not want to be a criminal, lay down your arms, stop fighting, leave the battlefield," said Michel, who represents the bloc's governments.

Supporting an idea previously circulated by some EU lawmakers, Michel added that granting asylum to Russian deserters is "a worthwhile idea to follow".

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